A tragic fire at the popular Goa nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ on the night of December 6, 2025, claimed the lives of 25 people, including 20 staff members and five tourists. The blaze, which erupted during a dance performance using pyrosticks, unfolded rapidly, leaving little time for escape and creating one of Goa’s deadliest nightlife tragedies. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and the illegalities surrounding the club’s operations, while the state government has announced ex-gratia payments for the families of the deceased and those injured.

Here is a detailed timeline of the events:

December 6, 2025

• 11:45 PM: Clubgoers and staff at Birch by Romeo Lane noticed a fire on the ceiling above the dance floor during a performance involving pyrosticks. They immediately contacted the fire department to report the blaze.
• 11:50 PM: Panic ensued as over 200 people were present at the club. Patrons began evacuating, but five tourists ran to the basement in an attempt to escape the flames. Within five minutes, by 11:55 PM, the fire had engulfed the roof, and smoke began to fill the basement, trapping some individuals.

December 7, 2025

• 12:02 AM: Goa Police control room received a distress call from the club reporting the rapidly spreading fire.
• 12:10 AM: Fire department personnel arrived on the scene to begin firefighting efforts. However, the narrow lanes surrounding the club forced fire engines to park 400 meters away, delaying operations.
• 12:20 AM: The fire department requested additional reinforcements as the blaze continued to spread. Efforts to control the fire were hampered by combustible interiors, inadequate ventilation in the basement, and stacks of flammable materials.
• 1:30 AM: After nearly an hour of intense firefighting, the fire was brought under control.

Rescue and Aftermath

• 2:00 AM: Rescue operations began as authorities searched the property for survivors. Initially, 23 bodies were recovered from the basement, where smoke and toxic fumes had created fatal conditions within minutes.
• 8:00 AM: The final death toll was confirmed at 25 after two additional bodies were discovered within the club.

Investigation and Arrests
Following the incident, Goa Police arrested four individuals connected to the club’s operations:

1. Rajiv Modak, 49, Chief General Manager
2. Priyanshu Thakur, 32, Gate Manager
3. Rajveer Singhania, 32, Bar Manager
4. Vivek Singh, 27, General Manager

All 25 deceased have been identified, and their families have been notified. The Goa government is coordinating with authorities from other states to transport the bodies back to the victims’ native towns.

Preliminary investigations suggest multiple factors exacerbated the tragedy, including insufficient exits, a thatched wooden roof, and highly flammable furnishings. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire may have originated either from pyrosticks used during a performance or from a gas cylinder near the kitchen. Authorities continue to investigate, with a focus on safety violations and accountability for this devastating incident.

The Goa nightclub fire has raised serious questions about regulatory oversight, fire safety compliance, and emergency preparedness in commercial establishments. Authorities have pledged strict action against the owners and managers of the club, as well as ongoing measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

This timeline captures the rapid progression of events on a night that left 25 lives lost and shook the state of Goa, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety protocols in nightlife venues across the country.