A devastating fire at a nightclub in North Goa has claimed the lives of at least 23 people. The blaze broke out late Saturday night at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular party venue in Arpora village, approximately 25 km from Panaji, the state capital.
Initial reports indicate that a cylinder blast in the club's kitchen triggered the inferno. Goa police chief Alok Kumar confirmed the cylinder blast as the cause. Firefighters and police teams rushed to the scene and worked through the night to conduct rescue efforts. The fire has been brought under control, and all bodies have been recovered.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, stated that most of the victims were kitchen staff members of the club. Tragically, three women were among the dead, and authorities have reported that "three to four" tourists also perished in the fire. While their nationalities are not yet known, this incident is a blow to the coastal state during its peak tourist season. Of the 23 fatalities, three individuals died from burn injuries, while the remaining victims succumbed to suffocation.
Chief Minister Sawant has promised swift and stringent action against those found responsible, including the club management and any officials who may have allowed the establishment to operate despite violating fire safety regulations. He emphasized that the government will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, and any negligence will be dealt with firmly. The club has been sealed, and police are currently questioning the owners and management while investigating potential safety lapses.
Local BJP MLA Michael Lobo stated that a fire safety audit of all clubs in the area would be conducted to prevent similar tragedies. The Calangute panchayat will issue notices to all nightclubs, requiring them to provide fire safety permissions, and licenses will be revoked for those without the necessary clearances.
The incident has raised serious questions regarding safety compliance at nightlife venues, particularly during the busy tourist season. This tragedy follows several other recent fire incidents in India, including a fire in Hyderabad in May 2025 that killed at least 17 people, a hotel fire in Kolkata that resulted in 15 deaths, and a 2024 fire at an amusement park arcade in Gujarat that claimed the lives of 24 people. These events highlight the critical need for improved building practices, stricter adherence to safety regulations, and effective oversight to prevent such devastating losses in the future.
