North Goa, Arpora: A devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, killed at least 25 people around midnight on Saturday, leaving behind a trail of destruction captured in chilling videos from the scene.

Footage shared by news agency ANI shows charred remains of the club, which just hours earlier had been a bustling nightlife spot. Most victims were nightclub staff working in the basement, while three to four tourists were also among the dead, according to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Local MLA Michael Lobo confirmed that three women were among the deceased.

Authorities have begun providing medical support to the injured and assistance to the families of the deceased. All 25 bodies were recovered and sent to Government Medical College, Bambolim, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Cause and structural issues

Preliminary reports suggest the fire was triggered by a cylinder blast, though investigations are ongoing. Officials noted that most victims died of suffocation while trying to escape to the basement.

The nightclub, built on reclaimed saltpan land, had previously received demolition notices from both the village panchayat and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. However, the notices were stayed by the Directorate of Panchayats on appeal, allowing the club to continue operations.

Calls for safety audits

Lobo stressed that safety audits of all other clubs in Goa are urgently needed. “Tourists have always considered Goa a safe destination, but this incident is deeply disturbing,” he said. “The safety of tourists and workers in such establishments is extremely important. Incidents like this must not recur.”

Authorities have launched a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy, as police work to piece together the chain of events that turned a night of revelry into one of North Goa’s deadliest fires.

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