Mumbai-based DJ Mita Nikki, professionally known as DJ Nicky, narrowly escaped tragedy after a deadly fire erupted at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora, early Sunday morning. Scheduled to perform at the venue that night, she confirmed her safety on social media, stating that she had not yet reached the club when the incident occurred.

In an Instagram story, DJ Nicky wrote: “Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you know I’m okay and safe. This incident happened on the way, before I could reach Birch Goa last night.” She added that she was “still shaken and heartbroken” by the loss of life and expressed her prayers for the victims and those injured.

The fire claimed 25 lives, including 14 staff members and four tourists, according to Goa authorities. The remaining victims were local workers at the club. Several people were injured, of whom one has already been discharged, while five others continue to receive treatment.

In connection with the incident, four individuals were arrested, including three general managers and one bar manager of the club. The arrested are:

• Rajiv Modak, 49, Chief General Manager, RK Puram, New Delhi
• Priyanshu Thakur, 32, Gate Manager, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi
• Rajveer Singhania, 32, Bar Manager, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Vivek Singh, 27, General Manager, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh

The Goa police registered a case under sections 105, 125, 125(a), 125(b), 287 r/w 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Senior police officers have been stationed at Anjuna police station to monitor the investigation. Postmortem examinations were conducted on 17 of the victims, with five bodies already handed over to relatives for final rites.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a pyrotechnic device, known as a pyro gun, during a stage performance. One eyewitness stated, “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 described the chaos inside the club: “The incident took place around midnight. Almost all the guests managed to come out. There were some people trapped inside. I came here around 11 pm. Some people tried to control the fire. Around 70-80 people were present there. There was only one exit from where everyone came out.”

Authorities have suspended three senior officials associated with the club for alleged regulatory lapses that allowed the venue to operate despite concerns raised since 2023. The investigation continues, focusing on accountability, safety violations, and the precise cause of the fire, one of the deadliest in Goa’s nightlife history.

DJ Nicky’s close escape has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the risks associated with entertainment venues where safety measures may be inadequate. Her statement has provided some reassurance to fans and the public, confirming that she was unharmed in the tragic incident that claimed dozens of lives and left many injured.