A devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub located in Arpora in North Goa, claimed 25 lives in the early hours of Sunday. Officials believe the blaze was triggered by exploding LPG cylinders, causing the fire to spread rapidly through the highly combustible structure.
Police confirmed that most of the victims were club staff, while four were tourists. Three people are suspected to have died due to burn injuries, while the remaining victims succumbed to severe smoke inhalation. Six injured individuals are currently receiving treatment.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight, engulfing the building in minutes. Many of the victims were working in the basement, leaving them trapped with no safe exit route. Among the deceased were three women.
The Goa Chief Minister expressed grief over the loss of lives and assured strict legal action against those responsible. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether safety and building regulations were violated.
Initial findings indicate that the establishment lacked several mandatory permissions. The nightclub, built on a former saltpan, had previously received demolition notices from local authorities and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. However, a stay order allowed continued operations.
Local leaders called for an urgent safety audit of Goa&rsquo;s clubs and restaurants, especially air-conditioned venues and employee workspaces. Identification of the deceased remains ongoing as investigations continue.

Massive fire at Arpora nightclub leaves 25 dead and sparks probe into safety lapses

Goa Nightclub Blaze Kills 25 in Arpora Tragedy

Massive fire at Arpora nightclub leaves 25 dead and sparks probe into safety lapses

December 7, 2025 | 09:42 IST