What sparked Goa nightclub fire? Probe suggests firecrackers used inside venue, rules out cylinder blast

Hours after the police attributed the Goa nightclub fire to a possible cylinder burst, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant shed more details, dismissing the initial suspicions and stating that fireworks were behind the deadly blaze that killed at least 25.

Speaking to the media after a review meeting with high-ranking officials, Sawant said that the preliminary inquiry revealed that "electric firecrackers" had been set off inside the nightclub, which started the blaze.

“According to the preliminary inquiry, the fire broke out due to the bursting of some electrical fire crackers inside the club. Some people could come out, but others could not, due to which they lost their lives,” the Goa CM was quoted as saying by ANI.

The CM said that four staffers of Birch by Romeo Lane had been already been arrested, adding that the nightclub's owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra would be arrested soon.

“A complete inquiry is being done, and a report will be received within a week. Suspensions will be issued to some people today itself... The concerned officers will be punished as well…,” Sawant added.

The Goa CM's latest update corroborates earlier eyewitness accounts, which attributed fireworks being set off inside the nightclub in North Goa to the deadly blaze where 25, including 14 staffers, suffocated to death.

What did eyewitnesses and survivors say?

Eyewitnesses who survived the tragedy told news agency PTI earlier on Sunday that a pyro gun fireworks, which were set off as dancers started performing, were behind the deadly blaze.

Speaking to the news agency, Riya, a tourist from Delhi, said, “Dancers were performing when fireworks were set off. This might have caused the blaze. There was complete chaos and a stampede-like situation. We left our phones and shoes inside as we scrambled to get out of the premises.”

“The dancer was entertaining everyone and songs were being played. In between, a pyro gun was shot, and I believe because of it, there was a spark on their wooden roof. People thought it would be taken care of, but within two minutes, the fire spread and people could not come out. They have their kitchen in the basement, and there is no scope of exit...,” another eyewitness told news agency ANI.

Yet another witness, Fatima Shaikh from Hyderabad, described the chaotic scenes inside the nightclub when the fire broke out, telling PTI that nearly 100 people were on the dance floor when the blaze erupted.

“There was a sudden commotion as the flames started erupting. We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” she was quoted as saying by the news agency.

“There was a temporary construction made up of palm leaves which easily caught fire,” Shaikh added.

Survivors of the tragedy also vented their frustrations at the nightclub being allowed to run without proper safety clearances.

“Many died of suffocation. It is a complete lack of management. There were no safety licences. I wonder how the club was allowed to function. It is irresponsible on the part of the authorities,” Amin Manocha, a friend of one of the survivors who lost three family members, told news agency PTI.

What are authorities doing?

Goa CM Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial probe into the safety lapses that led to the fire, and authorities are attempting to arrest the club's owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, meanwhile, has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the kin of the deceased, while CM Sawant's office has announced ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the family members of those who died.

“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,” Sawant further announced on Sunday.

The Goa CM also announced on Sunday that standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been framed for establishments to ensure that such tragedies don't recur.

“The advisory issued by SDMA for all clubs, restaurants and other commercial establishments wherein the likelihood of significant footfall is there to ensure and operate with valid permissions and adequate safety provisions,” Sawant said.