Goa Fire Tragedy: FIR Claims It's A Man-Made Tragedy As Club Had No Emergency Exit, No License

A nightclub teeming with revellers in North Goa turned into a death trap Saturday night after a massive fire tore through it, claiming 25 lives, including five tourists, and bringing to the fore illegalities along with the laxity of government officials in enforcing rules.

The tragedy struck at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, around 25 km from Panaji, on Saturday. The weekend crowd for the big DJ night, narrow lanes, makeshift structure of palm leaves, fire safety and construction norm violations made dousing the fire tougher, according to eyewitnesses and fire officials.

After the tragic incident, the police on Sunday registered an FIR against its owners, manager, and event organisers.

“Police registered an FIR against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav

Luthra, the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane Nightclub, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

Three senior officials of the Goa government, including the then Director of Panchayat, were suspended for their role in allowing the facility to start operations in 2023. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that four staff members of the nightclub have been arrested, and has ordered action against officials who allowed the club to operate while flouting rules.

As per the FIR, 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, inspite of having full knowledge that organising such a show may lead to serious fire accidents…” the FIR stated, reported Indian Express.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the fire started on the first floor of the club, and due to congestion and small doors, the customers could not move out.

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 FIR added.

“The said restaurant was found operating without obtaining permissions/licenses from the competent authorities,” it said.

The case has been registered under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125, 125(a), 125(b), and 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with section 3(5) relating to common intention.

Govt Forms High-Level Committee

The state government has also formed a committee of South Goa Collector, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services and Director of Forensic Laboratory to inquire into the incident, the Chief Minister informed.

The committee will submit its report within a week.

The government has worked out measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur again, he said.

An advisory will be issued to all the nightclubs and other establishments in the hospitality sector, asking them to take adequate safety precautions, he added.

What Happened At The Nightclub?

North Goa saw its worst fire tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora on Saturday night, which resulted in at least 25 deaths and six injuries. The nightclub was jam-packed as it was the weekend.

As per survivors, in no time, the entire club was engulfed in flames. “There was a temporary construction made up of palm leaves which easily caught fire,” he said.

The nightclub is situated in the backwaters of the Arpora river and has a narrow entry and exit. There was no access for fire brigade vehicles because of the narrow lanes and their tankers had to be parked about 400 metres away from the spot.