Why the Goa nightclub fire, which killed 25, was so difficult to contain

It began like any other party in Goa. On Sunday (December 7), a swarm of tourists thronged Birch by Romeo Lane, a flashy island-style nightclub near the backwaters of Arpora, hoping for a fun night out.

All was going well — music played through the night, people were dancing and having the time of their lives.

However, as people began to sway to the beats of the famous Bollywood song, Mehboob oh Mehbooba, it turned to tragedy, as a fire broke out, killing 25 people, of which four were tourists.

The blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane has set a sombre mood in the party capital of India — Goa, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordering a full probe. As of now, four individuals have been arrested, while three senior officials of the Goa government, including the then Director of Panchayat, have been suspended for their role in allowing the nightclub to start operations in 2023.

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But what do investigations reveal so far? Was the nightclub blaze a result of safety norms being violated? Here’s what we found out so far.

Fireworks, the cause of the blaze at the Goa nightclub?

When the fire first broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in the wee hours of Sunday, it was suspected that a gas cylinder explosion may have been the cause of it. However, preliminary investigations as well as eyewitness accounts indicated that it was the fireworks set off inside the club that led to the blaze, killing 25 people.

“According to the preliminary inquiry, the fire broke out due to the bursting of some electrical firecrackers inside the club. Some people could come out, but others could not, due to which they lost their lives,” Goa CM Pramod Sawant said.

Goa nightclub fire live updates:
25 dead beyond recognition; club had no construction licence, palm caught fire easily. pic.twitter.com/iAueFfwk56

— KV Iyyer - BHARAT 🇮🇳🇮🇱 (@BanCheneProduct) December 7, 2025

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How narrow doors, burn-ready decor turned a Goa nightclub into the inferno that killed 25 2

'Heard loud explosion and then'... Eyewitnesses recount details from blaze that killed 25 people

The Goa chief minister’s remarks were in sync with what eyewitnesses and survivors recount of the ordeal. One eyewitness, who wished not to be named, was quoted as saying, “Around 11.30 pm on Saturday, a belly dancing performance began on stage at the club. It was during this that the club management decided to burst firecrackers. “Those firecrackers came in contact with some bamboo, fibre and grass type material, which had been used for decor. This caused some sparks and fumes on the roof…and within a few minutes, there was an inferno.”

Another survivor, Riya from Delhi, told news agency PTI, “Dancers were performing when fireworks were set off. This might have caused the blaze. There was complete chaos and a stampede-like situation. We left our phones and shoes inside as we scrambled to get out of the premises.”

These remarks were echoed by others at the Goa nightclub. “The dancer was entertaining everyone, and songs were being played. In between, a pyro gun was shot, and I believe because of it, there was a spark on their wooden roof. People thought it would be taken care of, but within two minutes, the fire spread and people could not come out. They have their kitchen in the basement, and there is no scope of exit,” one told news agency ANI.

Yet another witness, Fatima Shaikh from Hyderabad, recounted the chaos inside the Goa nightclub when the fire broke out, telling PTI that nearly 100 people were on the dance floor when the blaze erupted. “There was a sudden commotion as the flames started erupting. We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames.”

Were safety norms violated at Goa nightclub?

The blaze killing 25 people at the Goa nightclub has once again brought to the fore illegalities, along with the laxity of government officials in enforcing rules. The FIR filed by the Goa police said the accused persons, “who are the owners, partners, manager, event organiser and other managing staff of Birch by Romeo Lane, Arpora… without taking proper care and caution, without providing fire safety equipment and other safety gadgets, organised [a] fire show at their restaurant/club which resulted in a serious fire due to which 25 innocent people succumbed to death and also caused injuries to tourist[s] and staff, in spite of having full knowledge that organising such a show may lead to serious fire accidents…”

The FIR added that the restaurant “did not have an emergency exit door on the ground floor as well as on the deck floor to evacuate in case of emergency”. “The said restaurant was found operating without obtaining permissions/licenses from the competent authorities,” it added.

The Fire Department’s director, Nitin Raiker, was quoted as telling Times of India, “According to records, the establishment did not obtain a valid NOC from the fire department, indicating non-compliance with mandatory fire safety regulations.

According to them, the nightclub was lacking in functional fire alarm systems, non-installation of automatic sprinkler systems, lack of smoke extraction and basement ventilation systems, inadequate number and width of emergency exits, absence of illuminated exit signage, lack of emergency lighting and lack of evacuation plans.

Fire officials noted that the Goa nightclub management’s decision to light fireworks at the premises increased the chance of a fire hazard. “Fireworks near commercial establishments, without proper isolation distances and permits, present a severe and unacceptable fire risk,” said Raiker to the Times of India.

Many survivors noted that the Goa nightclub had a narrow entry-exit point, causing confusion and panic when the fire broke out. As Fatima Shaikh recounted that when the blaze broke out, many patrons ran downstairs in the chaos and ended up in the ground-floor kitchen, where they became trapped along with staff members.

Even fire department officials found that the restricted access made it difficult for responders to reach the site, complicating efforts to control the fire.

Additionally, it’s also been found that the reason the fire spread so quickly, making it difficult for authorities to contain it was the presence of highly combustible interior finishes such as wooden panels and decor, as well as the presence of so much alcohol at the bar, which is highly flammable.

The fire report said: “Prima facie observations indicate possible short-circuiting in electrical systems located above the main stage, supported by combustible internal furnishings… Prima facie observations also indicated that fireworks activity was being undertaken on the external frontage of the premises at the relevant time.”

But that’s not all. According to the Arpora panchayat president, the nightclub wasn’t meant to be. He stated that the local authorities had ordered the demolition of the club, but the decision was overturned by the state government. “We had found that there were irregular constructions in violation of building and safety norms. The panchayat officials had conducted an inspection and issued orders for demolition. But, the owners appealed against the order to the Directorate of Panchayats. Under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, the Directorate has quasi-judicial powers and can stay an order issued by elected bodies in the panchayats,” he was quoted by The Hindu.

What comes next after Goa nightclub fire?

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a committee of the South Goa Collector, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services and Director of Forensic Laboratory to inquire into the incident. Moreover, he has said that those government officials who allowed the club to function despite not having the required safety norms would be suspended within a day.

The state authorities have also ordered for an audit of all other clubs that operate to check if they have all the required permissions to operate.

Meanwhile, the chief minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The Prime Minister’s office also taking note of what is being called as one of Goa’s worst fire tragedies, has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased.

Arrangements are also being made to take the mortal remains of the deceased to their native places.

It seems the fiery blaze has tamped down on Goa’s partying vibe, for now. But the question is — will the tragedy change anything when it comes to fire safety?

With inputs from agencies