A devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, has claimed the lives of 25 people and injured 6. The incident occurred around midnight on Sunday, December 7, 2025, plunging the popular tourist destination into mourning.
Initial reports suggest a gas cylinder blast as the primary cause of the inferno. A security guard nearby reported hearing a "massive explosion" before witnessing the nightclub engulfed in flames. However, authorities are also investigating other potential triggers, including the use of pyro sparkle guns, which may have ignited flammable materials.
The rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by the club's structure and design. Constructed partly with palm leaves, the building quickly became an inferno. The layout included a narrow exit, and the basement, where many sought refuge, lacked proper ventilation. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant noted that the congested doors hindered escape, and many who fled to the underground area succumbed to suffocation.
Among the deceased, four have been identified as tourists, and 14 were staff members. The remaining seven victims are yet to be identified. Eyewitness accounts indicate that approximately 100 people were on the dance floor when the fire erupted. Some individuals, in a desperate attempt to escape, ran downstairs to the kitchen, where they became trapped with the staff.
Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess whether fire safety norms and building regulations were followed. Sawant has promised "stringent action" against those found responsible for any negligence.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the nightclub had not adhered to fire safety regulations. The Calangute panchayat will issue notices to all nightclubs, directing them to submit valid fire safety permissions, and establishments operating without mandatory clearances will face license cancellation. A fire safety audit has been ordered for all clubs in Goa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex-gratia payment of 200,000 rupees ($2,200) to each family of the deceased and 50,000 rupees ($550) to the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his grief and assured that the local administration is providing necessary care to the affected.
The Arpora village panchayat revealed that the nightclub was constructed without a valid license and had received a demolition notice, which was stayed after an appeal. An FIR has been registered against the owner and general manager of the nightclub.
This devastating incident has raised serious concerns about safety standards and regulatory oversight in Goa's entertainment venues. Authorities have emphasized the need for strict enforcement of safety rules to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
