In a harrowing tragedy that has left an entire family and the city of Delhi in shock, a devastating fire at the popular nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa claimed the lives of four members of a Delhi family. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when a massive blaze erupted inside the club, killing a total of 25 people, including 20 staff members. Among the dead were three sisters, Anita, Kamla, and Saroj Joshi, along with Vinod Kumar, the husband of another sister, Bhavna Joshni, who survived the calamity. The catastrophic fire has not only raised questions about safety standards in entertainment venues but also left a grieving family grappling with an unfathomable loss.

The Joshi family, residents of Karawal Nagar in Delhi, had been eagerly anticipating their first trip to Goa. According to family friends and neighbors, the sisters were full of excitement and plans for sightseeing and exploration. “I think they left home last week. They were all very excited for the trip. It was their first trip to Goa. We didn’t know this would happen,” said Harish Singh, a close family friend who has been assisting the family in the aftermath of the tragedy. The group had included multiple generations, with Vinod Kumar joining his wife Bhavna and the sisters to accompany them on the journey and to enjoy the scenic beauty and leisure activities the coastal state has to offer.

On the night of the incident, the family had gone to Birch by Romeo Lane, a well-known nightclub located in Arpora, North Goa, for a meal. By all accounts, they were finishing their dinner and preparing to leave when the fire broke out. Eyewitness accounts and survivor statements indicate that the blaze spread with alarming rapidity, leaving little time for escape. Bhavna, the lone survivor of the group, managed to get out, but her sisters and Vinod were trapped inside. Harish Singh recounted the chaotic events of the night, noting the family’s attempts to rescue one another amid the smoke and confusion. “The sisters rushed inside, followed by Vinod to save their kin. Sadly, they all died. Bhavna was only one who was able to rush outside. We kept calling their numbers as the news broke out. Everyone was panicking. It was later that a policeman called Naveen,” Singh said. Naveen, the husband of Kamla, is also related to Vinod, who was his brother-in-law. Both families had young children, further compounding the tragedy.

According to reports, Kamla, the eldest of the sisters, is survived by her husband Naveen and their two children. Vinod Kumar and Bhavna also have two children. In the aftermath of the fire, the family has been dealing with the overwhelming emotional and practical burden of the loss. Their elderly mother, who resides in Karawal Nagar, has not yet been informed of the deaths of her daughters, as her fragile health would make it extremely difficult for her to cope with the news. Singh explained, “Their mother’s health is not well right now. So, nobody has told her anything. Only Naveen knows. Nobody is allowed to visit aunty (mother). We are all helping the family.” The focus has been on providing immediate support to the surviving family members while managing the delicate task of informing the elderly mother at an appropriate time.

The circumstances of the fire indicate a sudden escalation that trapped many inside the club. Bhavna described the scene as chaotic, with patrons running for safety amid dense smoke. Some individuals were trapped in the kitchen and other confined spaces, while others were blocked by a surge of people attempting to escape. According to Singh, the family attempted multiple times to help each other, but the lack of proper exits and the intensity of the blaze made rescue impossible. “There was a lot of chaos at the time of the fire. Everyone was running around and some people were stuck in the kitchen. The family tried to escape but again went inside to save Bhavna and others but couldn’t come out as everyone was pushing each other and there were no proper exits. There was a lot of smoke and Bhavna somehow managed to get out after someone pushed her,” he said.

Authorities have confirmed that all 25 victims of the fire have been identified, though some bodies were severely charred, complicating the process of identification and post-mortem examinations. The bodies of Anita and Kamla have been preserved for inquest proceedings, while two others were so badly burnt that identifying them posed significant challenges. The remaining deceased included staff members of the club and visiting tourists from other parts of the country. The Goa Police and fire department have launched an intensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, with preliminary reports suggesting that pyrotechnic devices, or “cold pyro guns,” used during a belly dance performance inside the club may have ignited flammable ceiling materials, including bamboo, fiber, and straw-like substances.

In response to the disaster, the Goa government has taken immediate action against the club and its parent company, Romeo Lane. Authorities have sealed two other properties belonging to the chain in Vagator and Assagao, citing multiple violations and ongoing disputes. A state police team has also been dispatched to Delhi to locate the club promoters, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, against whom First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered. Meanwhile, four key members of the Arpora nightclub’s management team, including the chief general manager, general manager, bar manager, and gate manager, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Officials have highlighted that the club allegedly did not possess a no-objection certificate from the fire department and failed to adhere to basic fire safety regulations. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed senior officials to investigate any lapses that allowed the club to operate in violation of safety norms.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the families of the victims, the local community, and across India. Residents and political representatives have extended support to the grieving families. Neeta Bisht, the area councillor, said she has been attempting to contact the family but noted the severe trauma they are experiencing, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and privacy during this period. Community members in Karawal Nagar have also rallied to provide emotional and logistical support to the surviving relatives, recognizing the profound loss experienced by the Joshi family.

This fire at Birch by Romeo Lane is one among several incidents in India that have raised concerns about safety protocols in entertainment venues. Eyewitnesses and survivors have pointed to the club’s inadequate emergency exits, limited accessibility for fire response units, and rapid spread of fire due to flammable materials used in interior decoration as critical factors that exacerbated the tragedy. Firefighters had to navigate narrow access lanes, with fire engines reportedly stationed 400 meters away from the site, which delayed their response and made rescue operations more challenging. The fire was eventually brought under control after approximately two hours of firefighting, but by then the majority of the victims had succumbed to smoke inhalation and severe burns.

The incident has prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety laws and regular inspections of hospitality and entertainment establishments. Safety experts and public officials have stressed the importance of not only having proper exit routes and fire suppression systems but also ensuring that staff are adequately trained to respond to emergencies. The loss of life in this case, particularly the deaths of four members of a single family on their first trip to Goa, underscores the devastating consequences of non-compliance with safety regulations.

As investigations continue, Bhavna Joshni, the sole survivor, is receiving medical and emotional care. Authorities are expected to provide support to her and other survivors, while legal proceedings against the club owners and management team are ongoing. The tragedy has also highlighted the responsibilities of local administrations and state authorities in monitoring and enforcing safety regulations for public venues, ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future.

The deaths of Anita, Kamla, and Saroj Joshi, along with Vinod Kumar, leave a gaping void in the lives of their families, who now face the daunting task of coming to terms with an unimaginable loss. Their mother, elderly and frail, remains unaware of the deaths of her daughters, illustrating the profound personal toll the incident has taken. Friends, neighbors, and community members continue to provide support to the family while awaiting further developments from authorities in Goa.

The nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane serves as a grim reminder of the critical importance of fire safety compliance, proper emergency preparedness, and vigilant regulatory oversight. For the Joshi family, what was meant to be a joyful first visit to Goa turned into a nightmare, leaving them and the wider community in shock and mourning. As authorities pursue legal action and investigations into the incident continue, the tragedy will likely serve as a case study for the enforcement of stricter safety norms in hospitality and entertainment venues across the country, aiming to prevent such devastating losses in the future.

In the midst of grief, the community has shown solidarity with the survivors, and local authorities continue to coordinate with families of the deceased to ensure proper handling of identification, repatriation, and post-mortem procedures. While the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on delivering justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies, emphasizing the collective responsibility of both venue operators and regulatory authorities in safeguarding public lives.