Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire: 25 Dead After Flames Engulf 'Birch By Romeo Lane' During Bollywood Event

The video shows moments before fire engulfed the Goa nightclub

During the fatal fire at 'Birch By Romeo Lane' in Goa last night, approximately 100 tourists were enjoying a promoted 'Bollywood Banger Night'. A video from the popular north Goa Arpora club captures a dancer performing to the Sholay hit 'Mehbooba o Mehbooba'. She's surrounded by musicians while the audience cheers enthusiastically.

Flames suddenly appear above the console behind the dancer. Two individuals, seemingly staff members, rush toward the console to remove a laptop from beneath the flames. Initially, the crowd appears unconcerned, with someone even complimenting the dancer saying, "aag laga di aapne" (you started a fire).

As the fire spreads, musicians abandon their instruments and move toward safety. Within moments, the dancer, staff, and audience members begin evacuating. The flames rapidly spread across the ceiling.

In the following minutes, the fire would consume the entire nightclub, resulting in 25 fatalities and six injuries. The fire's cause remains unconfirmed. According to witnesses and firefighters, the narrow entry-exit point increased confusion after the fire erupted. While many escaped, some tourists fled to the downstairs kitchen where they became trapped with staff members.

The narrow entrance also hampered rescue operations. Firefighters reported that lanes leading to the nightclub were too narrow for fire engines to access. Consequently, fire engines were stationed approximately 400 meters away, complicating rescue efforts. Many victims died from suffocation, while others sustained severe burns.

#WATCH | On fire at a restaurant in North Goa's Arpora, claiming 25 lives, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, "This is an unfortunate day. For the first time in Goa's tourism history, such a big incident of fire has occurred. 25 people died...I reached the spot at 1.30-2 am, local MLA…

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated this was unprecedented in Goa. "From my preliminary inquiry, it appears the fire started on the upper floor. Because the doors were very congested, some people managed to escape, but once the fire intensified, others could not get out. Many who moved towards the underground area died due to suffocation because there was no proper ventilation," he explained.

The state government has initiated a magisterial inquiry. "An FIR has been registered against the hotel's general managers and the owner, and arrest warrants have been issued. The inquiry will thoroughly examine whether fire safety and construction norms were followed," he added.

"Our entire team is working continuously on this. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims - may their souls rest in peace. The government will provide financial assistance to the bereaved families, and we will take every precaution to ensure such an incident never happens again," the Chief Minister concluded.