Arpora, Goa: A nightclub manager has been arrested and an arrest warrant issued against the owner of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, following a devastating fire that killed 25 people. The blaze, which broke out around midnight on Sunday, December 7, 2025, claimed the lives of four tourists and 14 staff members; the identities of seven victims are yet to be ascertained. At least six people were injured and are receiving medical treatment.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the arrest and the warrant, vowing that "whoever is found guilty will be put behind bars". He stated that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the owner and the general manager of the nightclub.
Initial investigations suggest that a cylinder blast may have triggered the fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub. However, the precise cause is still under investigation. A security guard near the site reported hearing a "massive explosion" and learning that the fire broke out after a cylinder blast. The fire rapidly engulfed the nightclub, which had a palm-leaf-based temporary roofing that easily caught fire.
CM Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of the fire and assess responsibility. The inquiry will thoroughly examine whether fire safety and construction norms were followed. The Chief Minister also stated the government would conduct an inquiry into the incident, and those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the nightclub had not followed fire safety norms. The club was operating without a construction license, and multiple demolition notices had been issued earlier but stalled due to appeals. The nightclub's narrow entrance and exit also hampered evacuation efforts. According to initial investigations, most victims died of suffocation, potentially due to the club's basement lacking proper ventilation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the incident and spoke with CM Sawant to offer condolences and ensure assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister's office announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo has called for a safety audit of all clubs in Goa to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The Calangute MLA said that the Calangute panchayat will issue notices to all the nightclubs asking them to provide fire safety permissions and licenses.
The incident occurred at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village, approximately 25 kilometers from Panaji, the state capital. Goa, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and hilly landscapes, attracts millions of visitors annually.
