Arpora, Goa – A devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, has claimed the lives of 25 people. The incident occurred late Saturday night, December 6, 2025, with authorities responding to the blaze around 12:04 am on Sunday.
Among the deceased, four have been identified as tourists, and 14 as staff members, while the identity of the remaining seven is yet to be ascertained. Six individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her profound grief over the tragedy. In a statement posted on X, she conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to those injured. "Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident in North Goa district resulting in the loss of precious lives," she wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted to the incident, calling it "deeply saddening". He has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will receive Rs 50,000. Modi spoke with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ensure that the state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.
Initial reports suggest that a cylinder blast may have triggered the fire. However, the precise cause is still under investigation by the police and fire department. Eyewitness accounts mention a massive explosion preceding the blaze. A security guard nearby reported, "We heard a massive explosion. We later learned that the fire broke out after a cylinder blast".
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, stated that the nightclub appeared to have been operating without proper permissions and had violated fire safety norms. He has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident to determine the cause and fix responsibility. An FIR has been lodged against the owner and general manager of the nightclub, and authorities are expected to take strict action against those found negligent.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety standards in Goa's establishments. BJP MLA Michael Lobo called for a safety audit of all clubs in Goa. He expressed his concern that the tragedy could damage Goa's reputation as a safe tourist destination. "Tourists have always considered Goa a very safe destination, but the fire incident is very disturbing, and such incidents should not happen in the future," Lobo stated.
The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane is one of the worst recorded in Goa. The nightclub's narrow entrance and exit reportedly hampered evacuation efforts, and many victims, mostly staff members, were trapped in the basement.
