Tragic Nightclub Blaze in Goa: What Sparked the Inferno That Claimed 25 Lives?

A catastrophic fire at a nightclub in Goa has resulted in the tragic loss of 25 lives, with preliminary investigations pointing to electric firecrackers as the cause. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety regulations and government negligence, as the establishment reportedly lacked necessary fire safety permits. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as partygoers attempted to escape the flames. In response, authorities have initiated a probe into the incident, leading to arrests and suspensions of officials. The government has also announced compensation for the victims' families. This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety measures in entertainment venues.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 8, 2025, 13:57 IST

Devastating Fire Claims Lives in Goa Nightclub

Panaji: A preliminary investigation into the tragic nightclub fire in Goa indicates that electric firecrackers ignited the blaze, resulting in 25 fatalities, according to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

The incident occurred at a North Goa nightclub filled with partygoers, transforming into a deadly scene around midnight on Sunday as flames engulfed the venue, highlighting serious regulatory failures and negligence by officials.

Fireworks are suspected to be the primary cause of the fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Arpora, approximately 25 kilometers from Panaji. Reports suggest that the establishment lacked a fire department No Objection Certificate (NOC).

The fire resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, with at least six others injured, five of whom are currently receiving medical care.

Among the deceased were 20 nightclub employees and five tourists, four of whom hailed from Delhi.

Initial findings revealed that the nightclub failed to comply with fire safety regulations, as stated by CM Sawant.

The inquiry suggested that electric firecrackers were activated inside the club, igniting the fire at approximately 11:45 PM on Saturday.

The Chief Minister has instructed Chief Secretary V Candavelou and DGP Alok Kumar to identify and take action against officials who permitted the club to operate despite safety violations.

Most victims succumbed to suffocation, having become trapped on the ground floor and in the kitchen, according to a fire brigade official.

Access for fire brigade vehicles was hindered by narrow lanes, forcing water tankers to park about 400 meters away, complicating firefighting efforts, a senior officer from the Fire and Emergency Services reported.

The club's small exits and a narrow bridge leading to it hampered escape routes, as noted by fire brigade personnel.

Police have arrested several key figures, including the club's chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur.

An FIR has been filed against the club's owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, along with the event organizers.

Three senior government officials—Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, Dr. Shamila Monteiro, and Raghuvir Bagkar—have been suspended for their roles in allowing the nightclub to operate since 2023.

The government has established a probe committee, which includes the South Goa Collector and the Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, tasked with submitting a report within a week.

The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs five lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, funded by the State Disaster Management Authority.

The 20 staff members who perished hailed from various states, including Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with four being Nepalese nationals, as per the state government's report.

Arrangements will be made to return the deceased to their home states, Sawant confirmed.

Initially, police suggested a cylinder explosion caused the fire, but eyewitnesses reported that the flames erupted on the first floor where tourists were dancing.

Riya, a survivor from Delhi, recounted that firecrackers exploded around the dancers, potentially igniting the fire, leading to a chaotic stampede.

With around 100 people on the dance floor, many fled downstairs to the kitchen, where they became trapped alongside staff, as described by Fatima Shaikh, a tourist from Hyderabad.

She noted the sudden chaos as flames erupted, and upon escaping, they saw the entire club engulfed in fire, exacerbated by temporary structures made of palm leaves.

Police have also questioned Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar, who mentioned ongoing disputes between the club's owners and previous inspections revealing a lack of construction permits.

Redkar stated that a demolition notice had been issued but was stayed by officials from the Directorate of Panchayats.

Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo alleged that the nightclub's license was granted without proper documentation by the local panchayat.

In response to this tragedy, Sawant announced that the government would implement measures to prevent similar incidents, including an audit of clubs operating without proper permissions and those with high foot traffic.