A devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, has claimed the lives of at least 25 people and left 6 injured. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, December 7, 2025, has brought to light severe violations of building and fire safety regulations. Preliminary investigations reveal the club was operating without the necessary fire clearances and had flouted numerous building norms.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that the nightclub had not obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department, indicating a blatant disregard for mandatory fire safety regulations. The absence of this fundamental requirement points to critical failures in fire prevention engineering, regulatory compliance, and life safety preparedness by the club owners.
A detailed examination by the fire department revealed a catalog of violations:
- Absence of functional fire detection and alarm systems
- Non-installation of automatic sprinkler systems
- Lack of smoke extraction and basement ventilation systems
- Inadequate number and width of emergency exits
- Absence of illuminated exit signage
- Lack of emergency lighting
- Lack of fire compartmentalization or fire-rated doors
- Absence of trained fire wardens
- Lack of emergency evacuation plans
The nightclub also lacked a valid construction license, further highlighting the extent of the regulatory breaches. Roshan Redkar, a local village council official, stated that a demolition notice had been previously issued for the club due to the absence of a construction permit, but higher officials had rescinded the order.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the fire erupted on the first floor, where approximately 100 tourists were present on the dance floor. As panic ensued, many individuals rushed towards the kitchen located on the ground floor, becoming trapped alongside staff members. The narrow entry and exit points of the nightclub, compounded by its location along the Arpora River backwaters, significantly hampered evacuation and rescue efforts. Firefighters faced considerable delays as they were forced to park their tankers approximately 400 meters away from the site due to the limited access.
While initial reports suggested a gas cylinder blast as the cause of the fire, later investigations indicate that "electric firecrackers" set off during a live performance may have triggered the blaze. Chief Minister Sawant stated that the firecrackers were used without proper precautions or permits. The temporary palm-leaf roofing and décor of the club further contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, its manager, and event organizers, citing culpable homicide and causing death due to negligence. As of Sunday, four individuals, including the chief general manager of the club, have been arrested. However, the owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, remain at large.
In the wake of the tragedy, the government has ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire and to fix responsibility. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families and announced financial assistance. The Prime Minister's Office declared 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 would be given to the injured. Chief Minister Sawant has also announced ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the victims' families and ₹50,000 for the injured. Authorities have stated that all nightclubs in the area will undergo fire safety audits, and licenses of those found violating norms will be canceled.
