Goa Nightclub Fire: Electric Firecrackers Likely Caused Blaze That Claimed 25 Lives, Says CM Sawant

Goa Nightclub Fire: A preliminary inquiry into the devastating fire at a nightclub, 'Birch by Romeo Lane', in North Goa suggests that "electric firecrackers" were set off inside the premises, sparking a blaze that claimed 25 lives, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said. The North Goa-based nightclub teeming with revellers turned into a death trap around midnight on Sunday when a massive fire tore through it. Electric fireworks have emerged as the likely cause of the blaze. A preliminary inquiry indicated that "electric firecrackers" were set off inside, which started the blaze at 11.45 pm on Saturday, Sawant said, as reported by PTI. While the state police initially said the blaze occurred due to a cylinder blast, some eyewitnesses claimed the fire started on the club's

first floor where tourists were dancing. The same has now been confirmed by the chief minister.

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Twenty-five persons were killed and at least six were injured in the incident. Five of them are undergoing treatment at hospitals. The deceased included 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi.The fire at the Arpora nightclub has brought to the fore illegalities along with the laxity of government officials in enforcing rules. According to the initial probe, the club did not adhere to fire safety norms, the CM said.

The CM has directed Chief Secretary V Candavelou and DGP Alok Kumar to identify and act against the government officials who allowed the club to operate even though it violated safety rules.The club's chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur were arrested by the police, Sawant said. An FIR was registered against the owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, and the event organisers.Three senior government officials, Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, who was then Director of Panchayat, Dr Shamila Monteiro, who was then Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Raghuvir Bagkar, then Secretary of Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa, were suspended for their role in allowing the nightclub to start operations in 2023, reported PTI citing a senior officer said.