Goa Nightclub Fire: Nightclub's Manager, 3 Staff Members Arrested, Says CM Pramod Sawant

A fire at the 'Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, has left 25 people dead, with police now arresting the chief general manager and three other staff members. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the arrests and said strong legal action is underway.

The blaze, which broke out just after midnight on Sunday following a cylinder blast, tore through the popular party spot in North Goa district. According to officials, the dead include tourists and employees who were inside the nightclub when the fire started.

Goa nightclub fire: Arrests, FIR and key accused

Police registered an FIR against two owners of the Goa nightclub earlier in the day, naming Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, along with the club manager and the event organisers. This FIR is the basis for the arrests of the chief general manager and the other three staff members.

The Goa nightclub fire case also led to action against local authorities. The panchayat sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa, Roshan Redkar, was detained for allegedly issuing a trade licence for the premises in 2013. Investigators are examining whether the licence process and later checks followed proper rules.

Goa nightclub fire: Death toll and victim details

Officials said that among the 25 people who died in the Goa nightclub fire, four were tourists and 14 were staff members. The remaining seven bodies have not yet been identified. Authorities are working to match the unidentified victims with missing complaints filed by families.

Goa nightclub fire: Inquiry committee and CM’s directions

The state government has set up a committee to look into the Goa nightclub fire and identify lapses. The panel has been asked to submit its report within a week, focusing on safety measures, licensing issues and any failure by responsible agencies.

"I have convened an urgent and high-level meeting today with my concerned officers including Chief Secretary, DGP, IGP, Secretary, Revenue Collector, North SP, I have discussed regarding the cause of the incident and after having the detailed discussions, I have taken the decision to conduct the Magistral Inquiry through the committee comprising of the District Magistrate, SP South, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Director Forensics regarding the procedural lapses that resulted in the mischief," Goa CM Sawant said in a press briefing.

Pramod Sawant added that the DGP has been told to take strict punitive steps against all culprits, including the nightclub owner and manager. With arrests made, an FIR in place and a formal inquiry underway, the Goa nightclub fire is set to remain under close scrutiny until responsibility is fully fixed.