A tragic fire broke out at a Goa nightclub after midnight on Sunday, claiming the lives of at least 25 people, including 14 staff members and several tourists. The blaze occurred at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora village, North Goa, about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed deep sorrow over the incident, while authorities have launched a detailed investigation. Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo said that police and firefighters worked tirelessly through the night to carry out rescue operations.
Who is the founder of Birch by Romeo Lane?
Saurabh Luthra, according to the official website of the nightclub, is a gold-medalist engineer who later moved into the restaurant and nightlife business. His brand, Romeo Lane, has grown across India and internationally, with outlets currently in 22 cities across four countries or planned for the near future. The website also highlights his focus on public relations, the drinks served at his venues, industry awards, and a feature in Forbes India.
Luthra completed his B.Tech from Saurashtra University and previously worked as a Business Development Manager for international clients. He started in the food and beverage industry in 2016 with the opening of Romeo Lane in New Delhi. His LinkedIn profile lists him as the Chairman of Birch and also of Mama’s Buoi.
Investigation underway after the tragedy
The police have taken the nightclub’s manager into custody and have named two other managers in the FIR. A security guard, Sanjay Kumar Gupta, said the fire started between 11 pm and midnight as the club was getting ready for a DJ and dancer, with more than 100 people on the dance floor.
Officials said the fire was caused by a cylinder blast, according to PTI. Goa’s Director General of Police told ANI that emergency teams were informed at 12:04 am, and all the bodies were recovered once the fire was under control.
PM expressed grief over the incident
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that most of the victims were kitchen staff, including three women, along with some tourists. He added that early reports show fire safety rules were ignored, and action will be taken against both the club management and the officials who allowed it to operate.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on X, with the Prime Minister stating that the state government is helping the victims and their families.
