'I Was Just Crying And Shaking': Kazakh Dancer Recounts Narrow Escape From Goa Club Blaze

A Kazakh dancer who survived the deadly fire at a nightclub in Goa’s Arpora has shared her harrowing experience, breaking down as she recounted the moments when flames erupted during her performance.

Kristina, a professional performer, told India Today she is “thankful to be alive” after a crew member’s quick action prevented her from heading straight into danger.

Kristina was on stage for her second performance at Birch by Romeo Lane when the fire broke out, reportedly due to a short circuit.

“The fire started during my performance because of a short circuit. I was shocked. The music suddenly stopped, and I didn’t understand what happened. I started looking for the exit,” she told the publication. “I was just crying, my head was shaking.”

A video

of her dancing moments before the blaze went viral on social media, showing the sudden shift from celebration to panic.

🚨Goa nightclub fire

Owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra booked, sarpanch Roshan Redkar detained

Glaring building violations. The structure was built with flammable palm-leaf material that easily caught fire. Club had only a narrow access route and restricted escape paths… https://t.co/1EwwKwfie8 pic.twitter.com/WXn6LNQcNi

— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) December 7, 2025

The dancer said the club staff and management reacted swiftly, guiding guests towards the exits as the fire spread. “People started running towards the exit. Hotel staff helped. People helped each other,” she recalled.

Kristina credited a crew member with saving her life. She had instinctively tried to rush to the green room to change, but was stopped. “My first instinct was to go to my changing room. But my crew member said, ‘Don’t go there.’ The fire was already at that location. That saved my life,” she said.

Back home, the reality of the tragedy hit her. “When I came home and hugged my daughter, I was thankful to be alive,” Kristina added.

The blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane killed 25 people, including four tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven others remain under investigation. Six people were injured and are receiving treatment. Authorities are still probing how the fire spread so quickly.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the club’s owner and general manager as the state government ordered a detailed inquiry.