PANAJI
The initial probe into the catastrophic fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora -- which claimed 25 lives -- has concluded that the blaze was sparked by internal electrical fireworks used inside the premises on Saturday night and that there was no explosion involved.
The government has ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the lapses and acts of negligence that allowed the incident to occur.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday convened a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the tragedy and formulate preventive measures. The government has decided to initiate disciplinary and criminal action against all officials involved in issuing permissions to the nightclub.
A new audit committee, headed by the Revenue Secretary, will now inspect all nightclubs, commercial establishments, and venues likely to host large crowds to verify their permissions, identify violations, and take action wherever necessary.
Addressing media, Sawant revealed that early findings point to electrical fireworks igniting the fire, which spread rapidly due to the wooden interiors and furniture. Although the fire and emergency services reached the scene within 30 minutes, the poor structural layout of the club severely hampered firefighting efforts.
“The premises had only two exit points. Two completely charred bodies were recovered from the upper level, while 23 victims were found in the basement, where they reportedly sought refuge but succumbed to suffocation,” he said.
Sawant announced that the Magisterial Inquiry—led by the North Goa District Collector and comprising the South Goa SP, the Forensic Director, and the Deputy Director of Fire Services—will investigate all procedural failures and illegalities, and submit its report within a week. “The committee will look into all sorts of violations and illegalities,” Sawant said.
Among the deceased are four tourists from Delhi, while the remaining victims were staff members from Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Assam, and Nepal. A special team of the State Disaster Management Department and the police has been tasked with coordinating the repatriation of bodies to their hometowns.
Sawant further stated that the DGP has been ordered to take strict action against all responsible parties, including the club owner, management, and officials who granted permissions. Cases will be registered under Sections 125 and 287 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Chief Secretary will also proceed with disciplinary measures against errant government officers.
Calling the incident an “eye-opener,” Sawant said the government has ordered a comprehensive audit of all nightclubs and commercial units. The committee will include representatives from the police, PWD, Fire Services, and the Finance Department. He reiterated that the State will not allow any illegal nightclubs to operate and that only establishments with valid permissions will be permitted to function.
Three officials suspended
In the first punitive action following the Arpora tragedy, the State government suspended former member-secretary of the Pollution Control Board Dr Shamila Monteiro (current, Fisheries director), former Director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar and Raghuvir Bagkar, a former secretary of Arpora-Nagoa panchayat.
The suspension orders issued by the Vigilance Director, come reportedly in connection with the involvement of these officials in a dubious environmental clearance granted to the establishment.
