The devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, which tragically claimed 25 lives, has rattled the country. The incident has brought the critical issue of fire safety compliance in India’s entertainment industry into sharp focus.
The Catastrophe and the Causes
The massive blaze erupted shortly after midnight on December 6, 2025, around 11:45 pm. Initial findings suggest the fire was sparked by “electric firecrackers” or a pyro sparkle gun used during a live belly dancing performance on stage. These sparks reportedly ignited the highly combustible wooden and bamboo decor, leading to a quick and fatal inferno.
- Out of the 25 people killed, a majority (20) were staff members, with many trapped in the basement kitchen area. Five victims were tourists, including four members of a single family from Delhi.
- Most victims died from suffocation, which was exacerbated by critical fire safety violations at the venue, including congested, narrow exits and the lack of a proper fire safety exit in the basement staff area.
Government Action and Safety Crackdown
Officials quickly ascertained that the nightclub was in contravention of multiple safety regulations. The unauthorized use of indoor pyrotechnics was highlighted as a significant factor in the severity of the incident.
The Goa government reacted with immediate and strong measures:
- A Magisterial Inquiry was launched with a one-week deadline to submit a report on procedural lapses and fix accountability.
- Government officials who had allowed the club to operate despite known violations were suspended.
- District Magistrates of North and South Goa imposed a 60-day ban on the use of fireworks and pyrotechnic effects inside all tourist establishments, including nightclubs and bars.
- A portion of another Luthra-owned club, Romeo Lane in Vagator, was demolished.
- A detailed safety audit was ordered for all nightclubs and similar venues across Goa, and a similar audit was ordered in Jharkhand.
- The Central and State governments announced compensation for the victims’ families, with an additional ₹50,000 for the injured, along with free hospital treatment.
The Owners’ Escape and Detention
Hours after the tragedy, the two alleged owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, booked flight tickets at 1:17 am on December 7 and flew to Phuket, Thailand, in the early morning hours.
- An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued, their passports were revoked, and the brothers were subsequently detained in Phuket, Thailand. Their deportation process back to India is underway.
- Club partner Ajay Gupta was also detained by Goa Police in Delhi. The owners’ lawyer argued that they were only licensees and had traveled for business, not to flee, as they sought anticipatory bail.
The Goa nightclub fire serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stringent enforcement of fire and building safety norms in public entertainment venues across the country.
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