A devastating fire ripped through the popular nightclub 'Birch By Romeo Lane' in Arpora, North Goa, late on Saturday night, claiming at least 25 lives and leaving six others injured. The tragedy unfolded as around 100 to 150 tourists were enjoying themselves on the dance floor, leading to scenes of chaos and a desperate struggle for survival.
Chaos and Tragedy on the Dance Floor
The fire broke out suddenly during a performance. Disturbing video footage from inside the club shows a dancer performing to the classic Bollywood song 'Mehbooba o Mehbooba' from Sholay as flames erupt behind the DJ console. Staff members rushed to remove equipment, but the blaze spread with terrifying speed, fueled by the temporary palm leaf décor and engulfing the ceiling.
Witnesses described a panic-stricken stampede as thick smoke filled the venue. Several people were reportedly trapped in the kitchen area. Most of the victims died due to suffocation, according to authorities. The deceased included staff members, three of whom were women, and four tourists.
"Suddenly, there was a fire. We rushed out of the club only to see the entire structure up in flames," recounted Fatima Shaikh, a tourist from Hyderabad. Other visitors had a narrow escape, with some arriving at the venue just as smoke began billowing from the building.
Delayed Response and Regulatory Failure
The emergency response was severely hampered by the club's location along narrow lanes near the Arpora backwaters. Firefighters were forced to park their tankers nearly 400 metres away, causing critical delays in tackling the inferno.
Following a visit to the site, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant revealed that the nightclub had not complied with fire safety norms. He announced an inquiry, stating that both the management and the officials who permitted the club to operate would face consequences.
Local panchayat officials confirmed that the club was operating illegally. "We had inspected the premises and found that they did not have the permission to construct the club," said Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar. Shockingly, a demolition notice had been issued earlier but was stayed by higher authorities, allowing the club to continue functioning.
Crackdown and Renewed Safety Concerns
In the wake of the disaster, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo announced that all nightclubs in the area would undergo mandatory fire safety audits starting Monday. Licenses of clubs found operating without proper permissions will be cancelled.
This tragic incident has ignited urgent concerns over fire safety protocols and regulatory oversight in Goa's bustling nightlife districts. The failure to act on the earlier demolition notice highlights a serious lapse in enforcement, raising questions about accountability and the need for stringent checks to prevent such catastrophes in the future.
