Panaji, December 8, 2025 – A night meant for music, dance, and celebration turned into a scene of horror at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, as a fire ripped through the establishment in the early hours of Sunday, claiming 25 lives and leaving six others injured. Survivors and eyewitnesses have described chaotic scenes, pointing to overcrowding, narrow exits, and a lack of safety measures as contributing factors, raising serious questions about operational negligence at the club.

The Night of the Blaze

A group of four friends from Karnataka, all in their early twenties, had come to the club to enjoy the music and a performance by a DJ. What began as an evening of revelry quickly descended into panic. According to the friends, who declined to be identified, the fire erupted during a belly dance performance, when the performers used cold pyro sticks. Sparks from the sticks came into contact with the bamboo, fiber, and grass-type ceiling of the club, igniting fumes that quickly engulfed the upper floors. The first signs of fire reportedly appeared around 11:30 pm on Saturday, and within minutes, the flames had spread uncontrollably.

“At least 200 people were in the club at that time,” one eyewitness said. “Three of us managed to escape, but one of our friends had breathing problems due to inhaling fumes and some burn injuries. We rushed her first to a hospital in Mapusa and later to Goa Medical College for treatment.”

Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Chaos

Several eyewitnesses painted a vivid picture of the panic and confusion inside the nightclub. Jayesh Diukar, who worked in the live kitchen on the ground level, said that his location allowed him to escape early, but he saw guests running frantically as the fire spread.

“The nightclub has two kitchens—the main one in the basement and the live kitchen near the main dining area. I was busy preparing food and didn’t notice the fire at first. When I looked up, the flames were already huge. We tried guiding guests towards the exits, but many were searching for partners or relatives. People were calling those they couldn’t locate, but their phones weren’t getting through,” Diukar told local media.

Another eyewitness, identified as Avni, was outside the club and assisted guests as they rushed out. “I’m still shivering from what happened last night. One woman was completely distraught because her three sisters and husband were stuck inside. They didn’t make it,” she said, describing the trauma and heartbreak experienced by survivors.

Negligence and Safety Lapses

Multiple accounts from survivors point to gross negligence on the part of the nightclub management. Avni and other eyewitnesses highlighted the absence of alarms, the lack of operational fire extinguishers, and untrained staff who appeared more concerned with moving equipment than helping patrons escape.

“Had someone taken responsibility, at least half a dozen people in the basement could have been saved,” Avni said. “I don’t understand how licenses are issued to such establishments. It was pure negligence.”

Police sources indicated that narrow exits and overcrowding contributed significantly to the high death toll. Officials warned that the death count could have been even higher had a stampede occurred, as panicked partygoers rushed toward the limited escape routes.

Casualties and Injured

As of Sunday morning, authorities confirmed 25 deaths, including four tourists and 14 staff members of the club. Seven victims remain unidentified, while six others were undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC).

The injured include:

• Amit Kumar, 35
• Clinton Prasad, 28
• Rahul Rai, 23
• Atish Mehta, 32
• Tanishka Chaurasia, 20

According to health officials, four men suffered 12% burn injuries, while a 20-year-old woman sustained 29% burn injuries. Their conditions are reportedly stable, and authorities expect that they may be discharged soon.

Primary Cause and Investigation

Police have yet to officially confirm the cause of the fire, but preliminary reports suggest that pyrotechnics during performances may have triggered the blaze. The ceiling materials—bamboo, fiber, and grass—allowed the flames to spread rapidly, while overcrowding and inadequate exit infrastructure prevented a safe evacuation.

Authorities have also noted the need to investigate possible lapses in licensing and regulatory compliance. Survivors have alleged that safety audits and fire inspections were either not conducted or ignored, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of fire safety norms in popular nightlife establishments.

Government Response

The Goa Police have launched an in-depth investigation into the incident. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, while constituting a team of police and health officials to facilitate the transportation of bodies to their respective homes.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to examine procedural lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy. The committee, chaired by the Secretary of Revenue, will also audit other clubs and establishments in the state to ensure compliance with fire safety and operational regulations.

Survivors’ Trauma and Public Outcry

The nightclub blaze has left survivors and local residents in shock. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of people abandoning shoes and phones in their frantic attempts to escape. Many survivors criticized the lack of preparedness and highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety measures in entertainment venues.

“This tragedy could have been prevented if proper fire safety protocols were followed,” Avni said. “It is heartbreaking to see so many lives lost due to negligence.”

The incident has reignited discussions on fire safety, licensing, and regulatory oversight in public entertainment spaces, with calls for more stringent inspections and accountability from club owners and local authorities.

Conclusion

The Goa nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of overcrowding and lax safety norms in nightlife establishments. With 25 lives lost, including tourists and young staff members, the incident has shaken the state and highlighted critical gaps in emergency preparedness.

Authorities continue to investigate the fire, examine the causes, and ensure that justice and accountability are delivered. Meanwhile, the injured recover under medical supervision, and families of the victims mourn the loss of loved ones in one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent Indian history.