Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora: Know All About the Goa Nightclub Where 25 Lost Their Lives in a Fire

A tragic midnight blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora turned one of Goa's popular party destinations into the site of a mass casualty event, leaving 25 people dead, including tourists and staff members.

The fire, believed to have been triggered by a cylinder blast, spread swiftly through the nightclub, trapping many inside and exposing gaps in safety measures at one of Goa's busiest nightlife hubs.

How the Incident Unfolded

The fire erupted around midnight while nearly 100 people were on the dance floor. Eyewitnesses described chaos as flames spread and panic drove some guests toward the basement kitchen, where they became trapped with staff members. According to officials, most victims died after inhaling thick smoke, while three others sustained fatal burn injuries.

State police confirmed that four tourists and fourteen staff members were among the dead, with several bodies still awaiting identification. Some eyewitnesses suggested the flames may have originated from the club's first floor, though the official cause remains under investigation.

What Authorities Have Said

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said most of the deceased were kitchen staff and confirmed that three women were among those killed. He announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident and pledged strict action against the nightclub's operators. "Three to four tourists" were among the victims, he said, adding that the tragedy highlighted urgent lapses in compliance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Officials reported severe challenges for first responders. The nightclub, located near the Arpora river backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit pathway. Fire tenders were unable to reach the structure directly and had to be stationed nearly 400 meters away.

Licensing Violations and Past Notices

Birch by Romeo Lane, which opened in 2024 as a venture of the Romeo Lane café and lounge chain, had reportedly been operating despite multiple compliance issues. Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar said the establishment lacked valid construction permissions. "We had inspected the premises and found that they did not have the permission to construct the club," he said.

The panchayat had issued a demolition notice, but the Directorate of Panchayats stayed the order following an appeal. Redkar said disputes between partner Saurav Luthra and the original property owner further complicated oversight, noting that the premises had been sublet before operations began.

What Happens Next

Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who visited the site, said all nightclubs in the area will now undergo fire safety audits. Licences of venues operating without proper permissions will be cancelled, he said, stressing the need for stronger enforcement to prevent similar tragedies.

With investigations underway, authorities continue to identify victims, assess structural violations and determine how a popular nightlife venue became the site of one of Goa's deadliest fires.