Goa nightclub fire: Blaze started on first floor, trapped victims in basement; Rahul demands accountability

The fire in Birch by Romeo Lane night club in North Goa’s Arpora, which claimed the lives of 25 people, including three women and injured six others, reportedly started on the first floor and rapidly engulfed the entire premises.

According to preliminary investigation, most of the victims died of suffocation after being trapped in the basement, which also housed the club’s kitchen.

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According to the eyewitnesses, the fire triggered panic among people and some of them went downstairs and got trapped there with staff members. The deceased included 14 staff members and at least 4 tourists. The tragic incident occurred late on Saturday night around 12:00 AM.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site around 2:00 AM and confirmed that 25 bodies have been recovered.

The chief minister said that as per the preliminary inquiry, the fire started on the upper floor. He said that while some people managed to escape, many could not get out once the fire intensified as the exit doors of the club were very congested.

He said many who moved towards the underground area died due to suffocation because there was no proper ventilation.

The chief minister said he has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and an FIR has been registered against the hotel’s managers and the owner.

Later, police also issued arrest warrent against them.

CM Sawant assured the inquiry will thoroughly examine whether the night club violated fire safety and construction norms

He further stated that his government will provide financial assistance to the kin of the deceased and ensure such incidents never happen again.

PM Modi speaks to Goa CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened to learn about the Goa night club fire incident. Modi also spoke to Goa CM to take stock of the situation.

“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. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the PM said.

Home Minister Amit Shah also offered his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“The tragic loss of lives in a fire accident in Arpora, Goa, is deeply painful. The local administration is carrying out rescue and relief operations and providing the necessary care to the affected. My sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said on X.

‘Deeply pained’ Rahul demands accountability 

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said he was deeply pained by the incident and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

Rahul termed the incident “a criminal failure of safety and governance” and demanded transparent probe to fix accountability.

“This is not just an accident, it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough, transparent probe must fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don’t occur again,” the Congress leader said.

Eyewitness accounts of Goa nightclub fire

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses have recounted the horrific incident. Speaking to a news agency, a local said that they heard a very loud sound.

Another tourist who had just checked-in to a nearby hotel said he saw flames from a distance. “We had just reached our hotel when we noticed reddish flames coming out. When we went to check, the police were already there managing the situation.”

Another eyewitness, a security guard at a nearby restaurant, said he heard a loud explosion.