Eyewitness recounts horrifying moments as fire erupts on Goa nightclub dance floor

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by NDTV, click this post to read the full article.

A tragic fire broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, claiming the lives of at least 23 individuals, primarily kitchen staff and a few tourists. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the blaze erupted after a cylinder explosion shortly after midnight on December 7, 2025, while the club was filled with approximately 100 patrons enjoying the weekend festivities. As chaos ensued, many tried to escape but became trapped in the kitchen area, which was crowded with both staff and fleeing guests.

The rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by temporary structures made of palm leaves, which ignited quickly. Eyewitness Fatima Shaikh described the scene as frantic, with flames engulfing the nightclub almost instantaneously. The club’s location, nestled along the Arpora river with narrow access points, hindered fire brigade efforts, forcing them to park their tankers 400 meters away and complicating firefighting efforts. Most victims succumbed to suffocation due to being trapped inside.

Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site and announced plans for an inquiry into the nightclub’s operations, highlighting that it had not adhered to fire safety regulations. Local authorities had previously issued a demolition notice for the club, which had been temporarily halted. The situation has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of safety norms across all nightclubs in the area, with local panchayat officials pledging to conduct fire safety audits to prevent future incidents.