A tragic fire broke out on Saturday night at a club on Romeo Lane in North Goa, which did not have the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) and had ignored fire safety rules, said Nitin V. Raiker, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, on Sunday. Raiker explained that most of the 25 people who died in the Arpora nightclub fire died from suffocation. The fire started during a club party that included a fire show and quickly spread through the building’s wooden structures. Thick smoke reached the basement, trapping many victims inside. Earlier, late-night blaze at a popular restaurant-club in Arpora turned deadly, claiming at least 23 lives, police said. The blaze was reported around midnight, prompting emergency teams to rush to the spot. Firefighters worked through the night to bring the situation under control, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Official statement from Director of Fire & Emergency
Nitin V. Raiker, Director of Fire & Emergency Services told, “Most people died due to suffocation in the basement and kitchen area. I received information that there was a club party going on, and a fire show was organised in the club. The wooden parts of the club caught fire, and smoke spread throughout the building. The smoke descended to the basement, and many people died due to suffocation. They had not obtained any fire NOC, and no fire protection measures were followed. The department had not granted any fire NOC for running this club,” as per News18.
Warrant issued for the club’s owner
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed a magisterial inquiry following the death of 25 people in a major fire at a nightclub in Arpora, North Goa. As per ANI, the CM stated that the club’s managers and other responsible individuals have already been arrested, and arrest warrants have been issued for the club’s owners.
PM Modi announces Rs 2 Lakh compensation for families of each victim
Prime Minister Modi conveyed his profound sorrow over the Arpora fire tragedy, describing it as “deeply heartbreaking.” In a post on X, he said, “The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.” On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the families of each person who died in the Arpora fire in Goa will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh. Injured individuals will be given Rs 50,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Other political leaders reaction
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said he was deeply saddened by the tragic fire at a club-cum-restaurant in Goa’s Arpora, which killed more than two dozen people and left several others injured. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also shared his condolences, calling the incident heartbreaking. He prayed for strength for the families who lost their loved ones and wished a quick recovery for those injured. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed sorrow over the lives lost and urged authorities to conduct a full investigation and ensure strict action against those responsible. President Droupadi Murmu too mourned the deaths in the Arpora tragedy and offered her heartfelt condolences to the grieving families.
