KATHMANDU, Dec 7: The general manager of the nightclub “Birch by Romeo Lane” has been arrested and an arrest warrant has been issued against the owner following the deadly fire that killed at least 25 people at the popular party venue in Goa’s Arpora village, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed on Monday.
According to Indian media reports, the blaze broke out around midnight on Sunday at the nightclub located about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji. Among the dead were four tourists and 14 staff members, police said. At least 50 people were also injured in the incident.
Chief Minister Sawant, who visited the site early Monday, said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the fire and fix responsibility. “Stringent action will be taken against those found responsible. Any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” media reports quoted Sawant as saying.
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According to reports, the fire was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion inside the club. A security guard working near the site told ANI news agency that a massive blast was heard moments before the fire engulfed the venue. “We later learned that the fire broke out after a cylinder blast,” he said.
Officials said most of the victims died due to suffocation, while at least three succumbed to burn injuries. At least three women are also among the deceased. The bodies of all 25 victims have been recovered, according to ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to Chief Minister Sawant and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. “The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” Modi posted on X.
The Prime Minister’s Office also announced compensation of up to 200,000 Indian rupees ($2,200) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees ($550) for the injured.
Visuals from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the low-rise building as emergency teams rushed victims into ambulances. The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety standards at entertainment venues in India.
Goa, one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, attracts millions of visitors every year. Government data shows that about 5.5 million tourists, including over 271,000 foreigners, visited the coastal state in the first half of this year alone.
Deadly fires are frequent in India due to poor construction practices, overcrowding, and weak enforcement of safety regulations. In recent months, major fire incidents have killed dozens in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Gujarat, with authorities repeatedly citing lapses in safety compliance.
With inputs from news agencies
