Saurabh Luthra, owner of the popular Goa nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’, expressed his grief on Monday following the deadly fire at his club that claimed 25 lives, including 20 staff members and five tourists. Taking to Instagram, Luthra conveyed that he was “deeply shaken” by the incident and assured that the management would provide “every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation” to the families of the deceased and the injured.

“In this hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured, and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity,” Luthra wrote in his statement.

Who is Saurabh Luthra?

Saurabh Luthra owned the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, which was the site of the tragic fire on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The club was part of Romeo Lane, a chain of upscale restaurants and bars with outlets in multiple Indian cities, including Delhi, Noida, and Bhubaneswar, and international locations.

According to the official website of Romeo Lane, Luthra is described as a “gold medalist engineer-turned into a promising and fastest-growing restaurateur”, noted for his work in the food and beverage industry. His social media presence, including Instagram, shows him alongside celebrities such as cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Milind Soman, and social media influencer Orry, as well as posts from his international trips.

What Happened at Birch by Romeo Lane?

The tragic fire broke out on the night of December 6, 2025, during a dance performance at the club. Eyewitnesses reported that the incident began when performers used cold pyro sticks during a belly-dancing act. Sparks from the pyrotechnics came into contact with the ceiling, which was made of bamboo, fiber, and straw-like material. Within minutes, flames spread rapidly through the venue, engulfing the club.

Videos circulating from the incident show flames erupting from the ceiling while the performers continued, and panic spreading among the patrons. The blaze trapped some people in the basement, which lacked proper ventilation and had limited exit routes. Emergency responders arrived on the scene after distress calls, but the fire spread too quickly, resulting in the deaths of 25 people.

Arrests and Investigation

In response to the tragedy, Goa Police have arrested four members of the nightclub’s management, including:

1. Rajiv Modak, Chief General Manager
2. Vivek Singh, General Manager
3. Rajveer Singhania, Bar Manager
4. Priyanshu Thakur, Gate Manager

Authorities are also investigating the role of the club’s owners and the compliance of the establishment with fire and safety regulations. Preliminary reports indicate multiple safety lapses, including the flammable materials used in construction, limited emergency exits, and high fuel load inside the club, which contributed to the rapid escalation of the fire.

The incident has raised questions about regulatory oversight, safety compliance, and accountability in Goa’s nightlife industry. As investigations continue, the state government has announced ex-gratia payments for the families of the deceased and for those injured in the fire.

Saurabh Luthra’s public statement is the first reaction from the club’s ownership since the disaster, expressing both grief and a promise of cooperation with the authorities. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing, with attention on identifying the precise causes of the fire and the role of negligence in the scale of the tragedy.