Goa police chief Alok Kumar told news agency PTI that the blaze was triggered by a cylinder blast inside Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub that opened last year and is located about 25km from the state capital, Panaji.
“A massive fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, resulting in 25 deaths, out of whom 4 confirmed to be tourists, 14 were staff members and identity of 7 is yet to be established. Six persons are injured and their treatment going on. Cause of fire is yet to ascertained. Police and fire department investigation is in progress. Legal action is being taken,” police told ANI.
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Goa fire: How a cylinder blast sparked the deadly blaze
Police officials said the fire at the nightclub in Goa was suspected to have been started by a “cylinder blast” but added that further investigation was required. The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane after midnight, officials told PTI and several tourists were killed in the tragic incident. “Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa. A major fire incident at Arpora has taken the lives of 23 people,” Pramod Sawant wrote on X.
“I visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry into this incident,” he said. “Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law — any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
The minister said he was deeply grieved and offered his condolences to the bereaved families. Sawant told journalists at the scene that “three to four” tourists had died. Three people died from burn injuries, while the others died from suffocation, he said.
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No fire safety norms at Goa club?
Sawant, who rushed to the spot after the fire was brought under control, said that while three people died of burn injuries, the remaining victims appeared to have succumbed to suffocation. As per initial information, the nightclub had not abided by the fire safety norms, the chief minister told PTI.
“We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms,” the chief minister said. “This is an unfortunate incident during the peak tourist season.”
Local MLA Michael Lobo, who was present at the site, told reporters that all bodies had been shifted to Goa Medical College in Bambolim. He said firefighters and police teams worked through the night to retrieve the victims and secure the area.
Lobo added that the Calangute panchayat will issue notices to all nightclubs on Monday, directing them to submit valid fire safety permissions. Establishments operating without mandatory clearances will have their licences cancelled, he said.
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PTI quoted local legislator Michael Lobo as saying firefighters and police were engaged in rescue efforts through the night. Lobo added that officials would conduct a fire safety audit at similar venues to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to seek details about the tragedy, calling the Arpora fire “deeply saddening.” “My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. The state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the Prime Minister said.
(With PTI inputs)