A horrific fire that ripped through a popular nightclub in North Goa in the early hours of Sunday has claimed 25 lives, with the state's chief minister revealing that the blaze was triggered by fireworks set off inside the venue. The tragedy at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora has exposed severe safety lapses and raised urgent questions about illegal operations.
Fireworks Inside Club Ignited Deadly Inferno
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, addressing reporters on Sunday, stated that the preliminary inquiry points to electrical firecrackers as the cause of the catastrophic fire. This clarification came after initial police reports suggested a cylinder blast. "According to the preliminary inquiry, the fire broke out due to the bursting of some electrical firecrackers inside the club," Sawant said. He added that while some patrons managed to escape, others were trapped, leading to the high death toll.
An eyewitness account from Riya, a tourist from Delhi who escaped, corroborates this. She told PTI that firecrackers were being set off near the stage during a performance. "I think the fire started because of that. People began pushing, and it felt like a stampede," she recounted, describing the chaos that ensued.
Narrow Lanes Hampered Rescue, Death Toll Rises
The club, located along the Arpora river backwaters, turned into a death trap shortly after midnight. Its narrow entry and exit points proved fatal during the panic. The situation was worsened by the club's location in an area with narrow lanes, which prevented fire brigade vehicles from reaching the spot directly. Firefighters were forced to park their tankers nearly 400 metres away and stretch hoses to the burning structure, causing critical delays.
Police have confirmed that among the 25 deceased are four tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of the remaining seven victims are still being verified. Six other individuals were injured in the incident.
Illegal Structure and Immediate Fallout
The disaster has ignited a fierce debate over safety regulations and alleged illegal constructions in Goa's bustling tourist areas. A local village official has claimed that the nightclub structure itself was illegal. Police have registered an FIR against the club owners, and an investigation into potential safety violations and illegal operations is underway.
Chief Minister Sawant announced immediate administrative action, stating, "Suspensions will be issued to some people today itself. The concerned officers will be punished as well." He promised a complete inquiry report within a week. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of flouting safety norms, especially in crowded entertainment venues.
