A gas cylinder explosion triggered a fierce blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, late on Saturday, claiming 25 lives and injuring 50 others. The incident unfolded around midnight, trapping revellers inside the popular venue. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site on Sunday and ordered a magisterial inquiry to probe the cause and hold parties accountable. Rescue teams battled thick smoke and structural collapse to pull survivors from the wreckage.
This Goa nightclub fire highlights vulnerabilities in India’s coastal nightlife scene, where rapid tourism growth often outpaces safety regulations. Goa welcomed over 5.5 million visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, including thousands from neighbouring South Asian nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Such tragedies erode trust in the region’s hospitality, prompting calls for stricter enforcement across borders where shared tourist circuits amplify risks.
Eyewitness Accounts from the Arpora Nightclub Fire
The fire erupted shortly after midnight on December 6, 2025, when a gas cylinder in the kitchen area exploded, according to initial police reports. Flames spread rapidly through the thatched roof and wooden interiors of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, a venue known for its beachside parties and drawing crowds from across India and abroad. A security guard stationed nearby described the chaos: “We heard a massive explosion that shook the ground. Seconds later, screams filled the air as fire engulfed the building. We later learned that the fire broke out after a cylinder blast.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Arpora village, about 25 kilometres north of Panaji, Goa’s capital. Firefighters from the North Goa district contained the blaze within two hours, but not before it caused extensive damage. The single exit point and lack of sprinklers compounded the horror, forcing patrons to smash windows for escape. Local hospitals in Mapusa and Panaji treated the injured, many suffering from smoke inhalation and burns.
Mounting Casualties in the 25 Killed Goa Fire
By Sunday afternoon, the death toll in this Goa nightclub fire stood at 25, with authorities confirming the recovery of all bodies. Among the deceased were four foreign tourists and 14 staff members, including three women. Three victims succumbed to severe burns, while the majority died from suffocation due to toxic fumes. The injured numbered 50, with several in critical condition at Goa Medical College.
Forensic teams worked through the night to identify remains, as the intense heat charred much of the structure. Families gathered outside hospitals, awaiting news amid growing grief. “This is a heartbreaking loss for our community,” said a relative of one staff member, speaking outside the morgue. The breakdown underscores the diverse toll: locals employed in the hospitality sector bore the brunt, alongside visitors seeking Goa’s famed nightlife.
South Asian connections emerged quickly, with two of the tourists hailing from Pakistan and one from Sri Lanka. Their deaths resonate deeply in the region, where Goa serves as a premier escape for middle-class families and young professionals from Lahore to Colombo. Past incidents, like the 2010 Mangalore pub attack, have already sensitised the subcontinent to risks in Indian entertainment venues.
Official Probe Targets Birch by Romeo Lane Fire Lapses
Goa authorities moved swiftly in response to the Arpora nightclub fire. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, arriving at the site by dawn on December 7, announced a detailed magisterial inquiry. “I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the entire incident to identify the cause and fix responsibility,” Sawant stated during a press briefing at 10:30 AM. He vowed “stringent action” against those negligent, adding, “Any negligence will be dealt with firmly. We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms.”
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against the nightclub owner and general manager under sections for culpable homicide and endangering lives. Both face imminent arrest, as confirmed by North Goa Superintendent of Police. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking to Sawant by phone at 8:00 AM, expressed condolences and directed central aid. “The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa, is deeply saddening,” Modi posted on X. “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 Prime Minister’s Office announced ex gratia payments: INR 200,000 (about USD 2,400) to families of the deceased and INR 50,000 (about USD 600) to the injured. Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the sentiment, calling it a “tragic loss” and pledging federal support for the probe.
Fire Safety Violations Fuel Anger Over Goa Nightclub Fire
Preliminary findings point to glaring safety oversights at the Birch by Romeo Lane venue, opened just a year ago. Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Nitin V Raiker, revealed that the nightclub operated without a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his department. “They had not obtained any fire NOC, and no fire protection measures were followed,” Raiker told reporters on Sunday morning. “The department had not granted any fire NOC for running this club. Most of the 25 people who died succumbed to suffocation.”
The structure’s palm-leaf roofing and open kitchen layout exacerbated the spread, violating basic building codes. Sawant described the day as a “very painful” one for Goa, noting the incident’s timing during peak tourist season. “No proper fire safety norms were in place according to preliminary inquiry,” he added, signalling broader audits of North Goa’s 200-plus nightlife spots.
This Goa nightclub fire echoes regional patterns, from Lahore’s 2023 hotel blaze to Mumbai’s 2017 pub inferno, where lax enforcement claimed dozens. In South Asia, where tourism contributes 10% to Goa’s GDP and supports cross-border economies, such events demand unified standards. Pakistani tour operators, who funnel thousands annually to Goa’s beaches, now urge advisories for clients.
Background: Goa’s Nightlife Boom and Hidden Risks
Goa, a former Portuguese enclave, transformed from a hippie haven in the 1960s to a global party destination by the 2000s. Arpora, in Bardez taluka, hosts mega events like the Sunburn festival, attracting 300,000 revellers yearly. The Birch by Romeo Lane, with its fusion cuisine and DJ nights, catered to this vibe, seating 500 at peak hours.
Yet, rapid commercialisation strains infrastructure. A 2024 state audit flagged 40% of venues for fire code breaches, but enforcement lagged. International arrivals hit 271,000 in early 2025, fuelling a sector worth INR 15,000 crore annually.
What’s Next: Inquiry and Reforms Post-Arpora Nightclub Fire
The magisterial probe, led by a district collector, will submit findings within 30 days, focusing on licensing and equipment failures. Expected outcomes include temporary closures of non-compliant clubs and mandatory retrofits. Sawant promised enhanced patrols and awareness drives before the December holidays.
Compensation disbursements begin Monday, with helplines active for victim identification. Regional forums, including SAARC tourism bodies, may review protocols. As families bury their dead, pressure mounts for accountability to prevent another Goa nightclub fire.
In the end, this tragedy compels Goa to safeguard its vibrant spirit, ensuring the Arpora nightclub fire becomes a catalyst for lasting change rather than recurring sorrow.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 7th, 2025
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