Goa Club Fire: Illegal Pyro and Lapses Kill 25

A deadly combination of illegal pyrotechnics, a highly flammable thatched roof, and multiple safety violations is believed to have caused the devastating fire that killed 25 people at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa’s Arpora on Saturday night. Investigators and eyewitnesses revealed that the blaze ignited during a belly dance performance, when electrically triggered pyroguns shot sparks upward and struck the bamboo-and-fibre ceiling, which caught fire almost instantly.

The flames spread rapidly through the 300-square-metre venue, leaving many trapped with little time to escape. Witnesses described a sudden burst of sparks, followed by thick smoke and an uncontrollable fire that engulfed the club within minutes. Early suspicion of a cylinder blast was dismissed after on-ground assessments clearly pointed to the illegal pyrotechnic devices used indoors.

Officials noted that the severity of the fire was worsened by several serious lapses: a flammable thatched roof, stacks of alcohol stored inside the premises, inadequate and poorly maintained exit routes, and narrow access lanes that forced fire engines to halt 400 metres away. Around 200 people were believed to be inside at the time of the incident. Twenty of the victims were employees of the nightclub, while the remaining were tourists.

Authorities have since confirmed that the nightclub did not possess the necessary permissions to operate. A probe has been launched into the role of the local panchayat officials who issued the 2023 trade licence, with both the secretary and sarpanch seeking anticipatory bail after avoiding repeated summons. One official may face arrest if he continues to remain uncooperative.

The tragedy has taken another turn with the detention of Delhi-based entrepreneurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-promoters of the club, in Thailand. Investigators revealed that the brothers booked tickets less than two hours after the fire began and flew out of the country early the next morning. They were located in Phuket after India issued a lookout notice. A joint team from Goa Police and the CBI is preparing to bring them back to face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Their lawyer claims they travelled to Thailand for business purposes, though police say they have no known ventures there.

Six people connected to the nightclub have already been arrested, including senior managers, operational staff, and co-owner Ajay Gupta, who was taken into custody after being discharged from a Delhi hospital. Gupta has stated he was only a sleeping partner but has been remanded to seven days of police custody.

The state government has begun a widespread crackdown on nightlife establishments, inspecting clubs, bars, and restaurants across high-footfall areas. At least three venues, including one in Vagator, have been shut for violations. Families of the victims will receive ₹5 lakh in compensation, while those injured will receive ₹50,000. A high-level investigation panel comprising officials from fire services, forensic departments, and the South Goa administration has been directed to submit its findings within a week.