A technical review of the devastating fire at a nightclub in North Goa&rsquo;s Arpora has revealed that the inferno spread rapidly due to &ldquo;combustible interiors, flammable furniture and complete absence of fundamental fire-safety systems&rdquo;. The blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane claimed 25 lives and left six injured on Saturday night, exposing severe lapses in fire-prevention engineering and regulatory compliance.
According to the Fire Department&rsquo;s incident analysis, the basement venue turned into a death trap within minutes. Investigators noted that inadequate ventilation, obstructed escape routes and enclosed-space design caused toxic smoke and oxygen-deficient conditions to build up almost instantly. &ldquo;Tenability deteriorated within critical minutes of fire growth,&rdquo; the report stated, adding that victims were likely overcome by carbon monoxide and dense smoke while exits became inaccessible.
The probe also found that the establishment had no valid fire NOC and was operating with high-risk combustible d&eacute;cor, wooden panels, partitions, plastic furnishings and heavy fuel-load density in bar areas. Preliminary observations point to a possible electrical short-circuit above the main stage, aggravated by the presence of flammable materials. Authorities also flagged &ldquo;unauthorised fireworks&rdquo; at the club&rsquo;s frontage around the time the fire broke out, further accelerating the blaze.
Officials said the first fire alert reached the Mapusa control room at 11:45 pm. By the time fire teams arrived, both the basement and ground floor, covering nearly 300 sq m, were engulfed in flames. Rescue teams managed to save 20 people before conditions worsened. The fire was fully extinguished only by 4:45 am. The report concludes that the tragedy was a result of systemic non-compliance, unsafe design and preventable hazards raising serious questions for Goa&rsquo;s nightlife safety framework.

Goa Club Fire: Report Flags Major Safety Lapses

Fire audit finds illegal fireworks, toxic smoke buildup, no safety systems behind Goa fire

Goa Club Fire: Report Flags Major Safety Lapses

Fire audit finds illegal fireworks, toxic smoke buildup, no safety systems behind Goa fire

December 8, 2025 | 15:55 IST