Late on the night of 6 December 2025, a catastrophic fire tore through Birch by Romeo Lane — a popular nightclub in Arpora, North Goa — killing 25 people and leaving several others injured.
Police and fire-officials say the blaze started just before midnight during a live music event when sparks from indoor fireworks reportedly ignited flammable décor on the club’s first floor. Flames and dense smoke spread rapidly, trapping many patrons and staff — especially those in the basement and kitchen area. Survivors and officials described a frantic scramble to escape, but narrow exits and a single access route severely hampered evacuation efforts.
Of the 25 confirmed dead, authorities said 20 were staff members working at the club and five were tourists. Among the tourists were four people from Delhi — three of them part of the same family — and one person from Karnataka. Preliminary medical reports indicate that most victims died from smoke inhalation rather than burns — the toxic fumes from the burning materials and rapid spread of smoke played a major role in the high death toll.
In response to the tragedy, local authorities have sealed the nightclub, registered a criminal case against its owners and organisers, and launched a magisterial inquiry. Arrests have been made and scrutiny is focused on violations of fire-safety norms, lack of construction permits, and illegal use of pyrotechnics, which investigators say turned the club into a “death trap.”
The disaster has sent shockwaves through the tourist-dependent region. Senior leaders, including the state’s chief minister and national officials, have expressed condolences and promised support for victims’ families. The fire has also reignited calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at clubs and public venues across the state and the country.
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