Goa Nightclub Fire Tragedy: DJ Nicky Safe as Blaze Kills 25 at Birch by Romeo Lane

DJ Nicky expressed being "shaken and heartbroken" following the devastating fire at Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub.

A disc jockey scheduled to perform at the Goa venue confirmed she was "okay and safe" after the tragic fire claimed 25 lives on Sunday.

Mita Nikki, professionally known as DJ Nicky, stated that the blaze erupted while she was en route to the club.

"Hey everyone... Just wanted to let you know I'm okay and safe," the Mumbai-based DJ shared in an Instagram statement.

"This incident happened on the way, before I could reach Birch Goa last night. Still shaken and heartbroken thinking about what happened. Praying for the souls we lost and for all those who are injured to recover soon. Please keep them and their families in your prayers," her message continued.

The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightlife establishment in Arpora village, approximately 25 km from Panaji, around midnight on Sunday. The flames rapidly engulfed the structure, leaving minimal time for evacuation. Authorities confirmed that twenty-five people perished in the incident - 20 staff members and five tourists.

By Sunday evening, all victims had been identified. Among the tourists, four were from Delhi, including three members of one family, while the fifth was from Karnataka.

Initial reports indicated the fire might have started with a gas-cylinder explosion near the kitchen area. However, eyewitness accounts later suggested that the fire appeared to originate on the dance floor during a performance involving indoor pyrotechnics or firecrackers.

The Goa government has suspended three senior officials connected to the nightclub's operations, citing their involvement in allowing the establishment to commence operations in 2023 despite regulatory concerns.

The suspended officials include Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, former Director of Panchayat, Dr Shamila Monteiro, former Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Raghuvir Bagkar, former Secretary of the Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa.

A senior officer stated that these individuals were responsible for granting clearances that enabled the nightclub to begin operations without fully complying with required procedures.

Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo also claimed that the local panchayat issued the nightclub's licence "without any documentation."

"Licence should be based on some documentation which is not there," he told reporters. "There was no provisional No Objection Certificate from the pollution control board. Fire licence was given directly," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "deeply saddening" and mentioned having spoken with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant regarding the situation.