Goa Nightclub Fire Kills 23: Cylinder Blast Sparks Deadly Blaze In Arpora

The death toll in the devastating nightclub fire in North Goa’s Arpora village has risen to at least 23, making it one of the deadliest fire incidents the state has seen in recent years. The fire broke out late Saturday night at a popular venue, leaving families shattered and the nightlife hub in shock. Officials confirmed that most of the victims were staff members working inside the club at the time.

Goa Police Chief Alok Kumar said the blaze was triggered by a cylinder blast inside Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub that started operations last year and is located about 25 kilometres from Panaji. The explosion rapidly escalated into a massive fire, filling the enclosed space with dense smoke and making escape nearly impossible for those inside.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who rushed to the spot after the fire was brought under control, confirmed that “All the 23 bodies have been recovered,”. He said three women were among the deceased. Initial assessments indicate that while three people died after suffering severe burn injuries, most of the victims succumbed to suffocation due to smoke inhalation.




In response to the tragedy, authorities have begun moving towards stricter enforcement of safety norms. Lobo said the Calangute panchayat would issue notices to all nightclubs on Monday, asking them to submit valid fire safety permissions. He added that establishments operating without mandatory clearances would face immediate licence cancellation.

A detailed inquiry into the cause of the fire has been ordered, and officials are expected to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit of all clubs in the area. The incident has once again raised serious questions about safety standards in Goa’s bustling nightlife zones and the need for tighter oversight to prevent such catastrophic losses in the future.