ARPORA INFERNO: The massive fire that raged through the Arpora nightclub late Saturday.
MAPUSA
A late-night weekend party turned into one of Goa’s worst fire tragedies after a massive blaze tore through the high-end but controversially operated Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora on Saturday, killing 25 people, including four tourists and injuring six others.
Most of the victims were club staff who stood no chance of escape as the wooden structure went up in flames within minutes. Two brothers from Jharkhand were also among the dead.
What began as a fully booked weekend musical event ended in devastation when internal fireworks ignited a fire on the upper floor around 11.45 pm. Patrons were partying when the flames erupted, quickly engulfing the ground-plus-one premises built largely of wood and thatched roofing. Within moments, the vibrant dance floor transformed into a death trap.
According to police, 14 of the dead were staff members, four were tourists and the identity of seven victims is still being established. Several were charred, while many others died of suffocation as thick smoke filled the narrow passages.
Panic spread as partygoers tried to flee, only to find themselves trapped. The club reportedly had just two exit points, insufficient for emergency evacuation. Many rushed toward the ground-floor kitchen in desperation, but the absence of a dedicated emergency exit left them disoriented in the smoke and ultimately led to death by asphyxiation.
Fire tenders from Pilerne, Mapusa, Porvorim and nearby stations rushed to the scene and battled the blaze for hours. Emergency ambulances lined up through the night, transporting bodies to the Goa Medical College morgue, where unprecedented crowds gathered in grief and disbelief.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The State government also declared Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia compensation for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site around 2.30 am, ordered an inquiry into the incident, assuring strict action against those responsible. He said the probe would scrutinise the cause of the fire, possible lapses in fire-safety norms, and violations of building regulations. “Any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” he said.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, Arpora sarpanch Roshan Redkar and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade visited the site.
Congress MP Viriato Fernandes, GPCC president Amit Patkar and Congress leader Manikrao Thakare and leaders of other Opposition parties like the AAP and RGP also visited the site and criticised what they termed a “complete collapse” of administrative oversight.
Two forensic teams inspected the charred premises on Sunday morning, with panchanama proceedings continuing late into the evening.
The club has been under scrutiny for months and the local panchayat had even ordered its demolition in March this year for alleged violations.
The tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane has once again spotlighted the fragile safety culture in Goa’s nightlife hubs – where a night meant for music and merriment can turn, in an instant, into a scene of unimaginable loss.
