Goa nightclub fire Highlights: Electric firecrackers likely caused blaze, says CM Sawant

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A preliminary inquiry into the devastating nightclub fire in Goa suggests that "electric firecrackers" were set off inside the premises, sparking a blaze that claimed 25 lives, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said.

Fireworks emerged as the likely cause of the blaze at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora, located 25 km from Panaji, officials said on Sunday, adding that the facility allegedly did not possess even a fire department NOC. Twenty-five persons were killed and at least six were injured in the incident. Five of them are undergoing treatment at hospitals. The deceased included 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. As per initial information, the nightclub had not adhered to fire safety norms, CM Sawant said on Sunday.

The Goa State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Sunday issued a detailed safety advisory to all nightclubs, restaurants, bars, event venues and similar establishments across the state after the deadly fire at a restaurant-club in Arpora that killed 25 people.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reached out to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to seek details about the residents of Uttarakhand who may have been among those affected in the devastating nightclub fire, ANI reported.

Dhami has requested the Goa government to "promptly establish contact with the families if any of the affected individuals are identified as residents of Uttarakhand" and to ensure that all necessary support, including identification, medical care, financial assistance, and completion of required formalities, is provided on priority.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that "electric firecrackers" were set off inside which started the blaze at 11.45 pm on Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, PTI reported.

The confirmation comes after a tourist who survived the incident gave their statement.

All 25 victims killed in the Goa nightclub fire tragedy have been identified, including 20 members of the staff and five tourists, authorities said on Sunday.

Among the five tourists who died in the inferno, four were from Delhi, including three members of a single family. The fifth tourist was from Karnataka, PTI reported.

The people who died in the tragic fire included four tourists and 14 employees. Some of them were from Jharkhand, while the identity of the remaining seven was yet to be established, police said.

“Government officials who allowed the club to operate — even though it violated several rules — would be suspended during the day,” Goa's CM Pramod Sawant was quoted as saying by PTI.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, "I have convened an urgent and high-level meeting today with my concerned officers including Chief Secretary, DGP, IGP, Secretary, Revenue Collector, North SP, I have discussed regarding the cause of the incident and after having the detailed discussions I have taken the decision to conduct the Magistral Inquiry through the committee comprising of the District Magistrate, SP South, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Director Forensics regarding the procedural lapses that resulted in the mischief and to submit the report to the government within a week.

"DGP has directed to take the strict punitive actions against the culprit, including the owner, manager of the club and those who have issued the permissions..." he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, “The ex-gratia amount of ₹5 lakhs will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased, and ₹50,000 for the injured will be sanctioned through the SDRF fund.”

"The government shall provide complete assistance for the transportation of the deceased to their homes. A dedicated team comprising the SDM, Police and Health Authorities have been constituted for the same. I also directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to take disciplinary actions..." he was quoted as saying by ANI.

A tourist who survived the tragedy claimed that fireworks were set off when dancers were performing, and it was the likely cause of the fire, PTI reported

However, police said earlier in the day that a cylinder blast seemed to have started the fire.

The police has detained the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa panchayat after a devastating fire claimed 25 lives in Birch Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, a senior official said on Sunday.

Police has registered an FIR against two owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, its manager, and event organisers after a devastating fire claimed several lives and injured multiple others, a senior official said on Sunday.

The Congress on Sunday demanded a comprehensive investigation and strict accountability for the tragic fire at the Goa nightclub.

Rahul Gandhi also spoke about the incident, claiming that it was a criminal failure of safety and governance.

“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. This is not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough, transparent probe must fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don't occur again,” Gandhi said in an X post.

The tragic fire in a popular nightclub in Goa killed 25 people and injured six others, the state’s chief minister said on Sunday, AP reported.

Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said most of the dead were the club’s kitchen workers, as well as three to four tourists. All the bodies have been recovered.

Several leaders including Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane Club in Goa’s Arpora.

With Christmas and New Year crowds expected to surge in the national capital, the Delhi Police announced on Sunday that patrolling will be intensified across major party zones, and that clubs, bars, restaurants, and event venues have been instructed to review their fire safety compliance.

Congress leader Amit Patkar termed the Arpora fire tragedy a "black day" in the tourism history of the state, demanding the resignation of CM Pramod Sawant.

The Goa Congress on Sunday held the state government responsible for the tragedy – demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on moral and political grounds. Goa Congress President Amit Patkar said they have demanded that the Goa Governor request the President to dismiss this government

At least 25 people died in the blaze that broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane. The victims included tourists and staff members, and six sustained injuries.

Governor Raju said that Goa Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou has informed him that the state government will conduct a review of all regulatory departments to ensure such incidents don't recur.

Goa Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Sunday visited six victims of the nightclub fire who are undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). At least 25 people died in a blaze that broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular party venue, in Arpora village of North Goa

The bodies of Birch by Romeo Lane fire victims have been kept at Goa Medical College.

Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju visited Goa Medical College on Sunday where the bodies of the deceased have been kept and injured are admitted, ANI reported.

North Goa's District Collector and DEO in a post on X said that a Control Room has been set up “for effective monitoring, incident response and public grievance redressal.”

Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Sunday extended condolences to the families of the bereaved. In a Raj Bhavan press release, the Governor said that this is a moment of profound grief for the state and urged the concerned authorities to extend all possible assistance and support to the affected persons.

In the wake of Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy, North Goa Police carried out foot patrolling and roko toko exercise Panaji Police Station and “near the Bandodkar Statue as part of ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, enhance police visibility and ensure public safety in the area.”

Speaking with ANI, Goa Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar said, "No arrest has been made yet. We are verifying ownership details. FIR has been registered against two owners and others from the management."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a “comprehensive investigation and strict accountability”. Taking to X, he wrote, "My deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the 23 people who lost their lives in the tragic fire at Arpora, Goa. This avoidable tragic incident is an irreparable loss, and I pray for the speedy recovery of all those who have been injured."

He added, “Such tragedies calls for a comprehensive investigation, strict accountability, and immediate steps to ensure that all fire safety norms are enforced, so that such devastating incidents are never repeated.”

North Goa Office of the Collector issued emergency response numbers on Monday morning in order to ensure effective public grievance redressal and keep a close watch on the developments around the incident.

District Control Room (North Goa Collectorate, Panaji Goa) -

08322225383

Goa Police Control Room (North Goa) - 7875756000
Email ID: ddma-north.goacgov.in

Goa CM Pramod Sawant said, "From my preliminary inquiry, it appears the fire started on the upper floor. Because the doors were very congested, some people managed to escape, but once the fire intensified, others could not get out. Many who moved towards the underground area died due to suffocation because there was no proper ventilation, @ PTI reported.

Speaking with ANI, a relative of two victims, Narayan Mathur said, "Those were my nephews, sons of my elder brother. So, I have come here for them. Both of them died. They worked in the kitchen of the restaurant. I came to know about it this morning...A neighbour also died in the fire. All of us belonged to Jharkhand."

Six individuals were injuries in the Birch by Romeo Lane blaze. They are receiving medical treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, PTI reported.

Pramod Sawant said, “We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. What permissions were obtained by the club, and who gave those permissions, will be inquired into. Whether the fire safety norms and building construction norms were followed will be seen.”

He also said an arrest warrant has been issued against the club owners.

“Managers and others have already been arrested. Whosover is found guilty will be put behind bars. PM Modi called me up this morning and asked for all details. He also asked for details on the injured. I briefed the PM in detail...Goa Govt will take all steps to ensure that such an incident never happens in future,” he said.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant told ANI in a latest statement he reached the spot at 1.30-2 am. He said fire was doused off within half an hour, but a few people died of suffocation.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant issued directives for ‘magisterial inquiry’ into the Birch by Romeo Lane club fire incident. In a post on X, he stated, "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 into the entire incident to identify the cause and fix responsibility."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X stated, "The tragic loss of lives in a fire accident in Arpora, Goa, is deeply painful. The local administration is carrying out rescue and relief operations and providing the necessary care to the affected. My sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Speaking with PTI, BJP MLA Michael Lobo said that the Calangute panchayat will issue notices to all the nightclubs on Monday, seeking their fire safety permissions. Those clubs that do not have necessary permissions, their licenses will be cancelled, he added.

Expressing grief over the fire mishap in Goa and extending condolences to the families of the victims. President Murmu in a post on X wrote, "Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident in North Goa district resulting in the loss of precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find strength during this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."

The fire tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub is a major cause of concern as it happened during the peak tourist season. Located around 25 km from the state capital Panaji, in North Goa's Arpora, the nightclub opened last year. As per its official Instagram account, Dj Nicky's Bollywood banger night was taking place on 6 December.

According to Goa Police, 4 of the deceased were confirmed to be tourists while 14 were staff members. Identity of 7 is yet to be established. Goa Police said, “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,” ANI reported.

Goa Police said, “A massive fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, resulting in 25 deaths.," ANI reported.

The injured would be given ₹50,000, Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X.

Prime Minister's Office on Sunday said, “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora, Goa. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi.”

CM Pramod Sawant in a post on X stated, “The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi ji, spoke to me regarding the tragic fire incident at Arpora, and I apprised him of the current situation on the ground. The Government of Goa is extending all assistance to the affected families, during this difficult time.”

Goa CM Pramod Sawant said that three individuals succumbed to burn injuries and the others died due to suffocation, PTI reported.

Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, in a post on X stated, “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. I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable loss.”

He added, “I visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry into this incident. The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building rules were followed. Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law- any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”