Saurabh Luthra, the owner of Goa-based nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, has spoken publicly for the first time following the devastating fire that claimed 25 lives, saying he is &ldquo;deeply shaken&rdquo; by the tragic incident.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Luthra expressed grief over the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. &ldquo;The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch,&rdquo; he wrote.
As investigations continue into the deadly blaze, Luthra assured full cooperation with authorities and support for those affected. &ldquo;In this hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured, and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity,&rdquo; he added, while also promising &ldquo;every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation&rdquo;.
The fire broke out at the popular nightclub in Arpora on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. Authorities confirmed that at least 20 staff members and five tourists lost their lives in the incident.
Videos circulating on social media show flames erupting during a live performance, moments after a belly dancer took the stage while music played in the background. Witnesses have alleged that the fire may have been triggered by the use of cold pyro equipment during the performance.
&ldquo;It started when a belly dance performance was underway. The performers used some cold pyro sticks which upon ignition leapt skywards and came in contact with the ceiling made of bamboo, fibre and straw-type material. This caused some sparks and fumes on the roof and within a few minutes, the whole place was burning,&rdquo; an eyewitness said.
Police have arrested four members of the club&rsquo;s management so far, including the chief general manager, general manager, bar manager and gate manager, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Luthra is the founder of Birch by Romeo Lane and is also associated with the Romeo Lane brand, a chain of upscale restaurants and bars operating in several Indian cities such as Delhi, Noida and Bhubaneswar, as well as internationally. According to the brand&rsquo;s official profile, he is described as a gold medalist engineer who transitioned into the food and beverage industry and built a reputation as a rapidly growing restaurateur.
His social media presence showcases international travel and interactions with several well-known personalities, including cricketers, actors and online influencers.
As officials continue to examine the circumstances that led to one of Goa&rsquo;s deadliest nightclub fires, questions remain over safety norms, fire clearances and the use of special effects within closed venues.

Goa club owner breaks silence after deadly fire

Saurabh Luthra says he is “deeply shaken” as probe continues into blaze that killed 25

Goa club owner breaks silence after deadly fire

Saurabh Luthra says he is “deeply shaken” as probe continues into blaze that killed 25

December 8, 2025 | 20:05 IST