The devastating fire which broke out late Saturday night at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, killed 25 people, including five tourists, and injuring several others. Newly released video footage has captured the terrifying moment when the blaze erupted during a crowded “Bollywood Banger Night”, turning a festive atmosphere into a deadly trap within seconds. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across India’s tourism capital and reignited concerns over fire safety in entertainment venues.

The viral video shows a dancer performing to the classic Bollywood track “Mehbooba Mehbooba” when sparks suddenly appear on the ceiling, followed by fireworks exploding indoors. Within moments, flames race across the roof, and thick black smoke engulfs the dance floor, triggering panic as hundreds of patrons rush toward the exits. Screams and shouts drown out the music as fireballs drop from above, trapping some revellers inside the rapidly intensifying inferno.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was sparked by the indoor pyrotechnics display used during the performance. Officials have revealed that the nightclub, located approximately 25 kilometres north of Panaji in the bustling Arpora area, may have been operating without a valid fire-safety clearance from the state fire department. Sources indicate that flammable decorative materials on the ceiling contributed to the blaze spreading at an alarming speed.

Also Read: Owner of Birch by Romeo Lane, Saurabh Luthra, Identified Following Deadly Fire in Goa

The death toll stands at 25, with victims including both local residents and tourists from other Indian states and abroad. Rescue operations continued into Sunday morning, with fire crews from nearby Calangute and Mapusa battling the flames for several hours. More than a dozen survivors are being treated for severe burns and smoke inhalation at Goa Medical College and private hospitals in the region.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and announced compensation of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured. Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the club owners and event organisers. Authorities have also suspended the nightclub’s licence and sealed the premises pending further investigation.

This tragedy marks one of the deadliest nightclub fires in Goa’s history and has prompted immediate calls for stricter enforcement of safety norms across the state’s nightlife industry. Tourism stakeholders, while expressing grief, fear the incident could impact the ongoing peak season. As mourning families await answers, officials have vowed sweeping inspections of all venues using pyrotechnics to prevent such horrors from recurring in India’s favourite party destination.

Also Read: Inside the Tragedy at Goa’s Birch By Romeo Lane Nightclub: How a Fire Claimed 25 Lives