A devastating fire swept through a nightclub in the coastal town of Arpora, Goa, on Sunday, claiming the lives of 25 individuals and leaving six others injured. This tragic incident has cast a shadow over the vibrant nightlife the area is known for.
Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, has taken swift action, announcing via social media platform X that an official magisterial inquiry will be conducted to uncover the details of the calamity. Encouragingly, he also informed the public that the six injured individuals are currently in stable condition, receiving the necessary medical attention.
Expressing his sorrow over the tragic event, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply saddening.” He extended his condolences, stating, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.” The Prime Minister confirmed his communication with Chief Minister Sawant, assuring that the State Government is providing all possible assistance to the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, a haunting image of the nightclub’s charred interior captured the aftermath of the fire, which erupted in the early hours of Sunday. This photograph, taken in Arpora, Goa, stands as a grim reminder of the devastation that unfolded.
Initial reports from the Press Trust of India (PTI), the nation’s foremost independent news source, suggest that the blaze may have been triggered by a cylinder explosion. However, a surviving tourist offered a different perspective, indicating that firecrackers used during a dance routine might have been responsible for sparking the catastrophic fire.
The Press Trust of India (PTI), the country’s largest independent news agency, reported that police initially pointed to a cylinder blast as the possible cause, but a surviving tourist told the agency that firecrackers set off during a dance routine likely ignited the blaze.
A woman identified as Riya, a tourist from New Delhi, told PTI that firecrackers were going off when the dancers were performing.
“The fire must have been caused due to this. There was a stampede-like situation,” she said.
People stand outside the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, which has been sealed for investigation following a fire that killed multiple people, in Goa, India, Dec. 7, 2025. (Ali Monis Naqvi/Reuters)
Another tourist, Fatima Shaikh, told PTI that more than 100 people had been on the dance floor at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub when the fire broke out, and some fled toward the kitchen, where they became trapped along with staff members.
“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,” she said.
The nightclub, which caught fire early Sunday, is seen across an expanse of water in Arpora, in Goa, India, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo)
A preliminary inquiry, according to PTI, indicated the fire began on the first floor, where congestion and narrow exits kept people from escaping.
“Some of them rushed to the ground floor and got trapped there,” said Sawant. “We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms. This is an unfortunate incident during the peak tourist season.”
