25 Dead In Goa Nightclub Fire; Fireworks Suspected, Four Arrested

NEW DELHI-At least 25 people were killed after a fire swept through a popular nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora around midnight on December 6, in what officials described as one of the deadliest such incidents the state has seen in recent years.

The blaze erupted at Birch by Romeo Lane, a busy venue in the Baga-Arpora belt. Police initially suspected a cylinder blast, but later told reporters that investigators are now examining whether indoor pyrotechnics triggered the fire — an assessment also reported by the BBC.

The club was hosting a late-night event when the fire broke out, leaving many staff members trapped. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that the packed venue descended into chaos as flames spread rapidly. Firefighters struggled to reach the main structure due to a narrow causeway built over a small water body.

Senior officials, including the Director General of Police and teams from the North Goa district administration, reached the site shortly after the fire was reported to oversee rescue efforts. By early December 7, emergency crews were still combing through the charred remains of the building.

Officials said most victims died of suffocation, while three suffered fatal burns. Six people are hospitalized and remain stable. Families of the deceased gathered through the morning as authorities began the identification process.

Police said the majority of the workers who died were migrants from Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka. One worker from Nepal was also among the dead, according to details confirmed to the BBC.

Four people, including the nightclub’s manager, have been arrested. An arrest warrant has been issued for the owner, who has not yet been located.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site and announced a formal inquiry. Posting on X, he called the incident “a very painful day for all of us in Goa” and expressed condolences to the families. He said the inquiry would examine fire-safety compliance and building norms, adding: “Those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law — any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the fire “deeply saddening” in a post on social media. (With IANS inputs)