A catastrophic fire tore through the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora village shortly after midnight on Sunday, killing 25 people and injuring six. The incident, suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder blast, occurred in the popular tourist belt of Baga, around 25 km from Panaji. Police have registered an FIR for culpable homicide.

According to authorities, the dead include four tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven victims are yet to be established. “Six people are injured and their treatment is going on… Police and fire department investigation is in progress,” officials said.

Eyewitness accounts suggested the blaze may have started on the dance floor or the club’s first floor. A security guard nearby recalled, “We heard a massive explosion. We later learned that the fire broke out after a cylinder blast.”

Victims Trapped Due to Narrow Exits

Fatima Shaikh, a tourist eyewitness, said chaos ensued when the fire spread rapidly. Some patrons rushed downstairs into the kitchen and were trapped along with staff. “There was a temporary construction made up of palm leaves which easily caught fire,” she said. Many victims reportedly died due to suffocation, with Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo noting that most people “ran towards the basement.”

Firefighters faced challenges due to a narrow approach road that prevented engines from reaching the building directly, forcing them to park 400 meters away.

Club Under Scanner for Safety Violations

Authorities have confirmed that the nightclub had longstanding compliance issues. Local sarpanch Roshan Redkar revealed the club operated without a construction licence. “We had issued a demolition notice… but the demolition was stayed upon appeal,” he said. The establishment also reportedly faced previous notices from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site around 1:30 am, called it “a very painful day for Goa.” He announced a magisterial inquiry and said, “An arrest warrant has been issued against the club owners. Managers and others have already been arrested. Whoever is found guilty will be put behind bars.”

I am closely reviewing the situation arising from the tragic fire incident at Arpora, in which 25 people have lost their lives and 6 have been injured. All six injured persons are in a stable condition and are receiving the best medical care. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry…

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) December 7, 2025

“This is an unfortunate day. For the first time in Goa’s tourism history, such a big incident of fire has occurred. 25 people died. I reached the spot at 1.30-2 am, local MLA Michael Lobo accompanied me. All officers were also present there. Fire was doused within half an hour, but the club where this happened, some people could rush out of it, but some others could not,” CM said.

He added that a few people died due to suffocation. “As per preliminary information, four people were tourists, and the rest were employees at the club. I express my condolences over their demise and express sympathies to their families. May the soul of the deceased rest in peace.”

“They will be provided compensation by the Government. 6 people who are in the hospital are being given the best medical treatment at Goa Medical College. I have spoken with the Dean of the College. We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. What permissions the club obtained and who granted them will be inquired into,” he added.

National Leaders React; Compensation Announced

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow, saying, “Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident… My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences. In an X post, he said, “The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. I have spoken to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”

The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2025

Home Minister Amit Shah said the tragedy was “deeply painful,” while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed that he was “deeply anguished.”

Opposition leaders also demanded accountability. Rahul Gandhi said, “We will need to conduct a safety audit of all other clubs in Goa, which is very important. Tourists have always considered Goa a safe destination, but this fire incident is extremely disturbing, and such tragedies should not happen in the future. The safety of both tourists and workers in these establishments is of utmost importance. Most people died due to suffocation as they ran towards the basement”.

CPI(M) MP V Sivadasan called for a proper inquiry, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi blamed “misuse of licences.”

Families Mourn; Investigation Underway

Among the deceased were workers from Jharkhand. A grieving relative said, “Both of them died… They worked in the kitchen.” Another survivor said he escaped only because his cab was delayed: “We got lucky because our driver was late.”

Sawant assured strict action: “What permissions the club obtained and who granted them will be inquired into.”

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