Delhi woman Bhavna Joshi lost her husband and three sisters in Goa’s deadly nightclub fire. Surviving the blaze herself, she demands justice, not compensation, as authorities hunt the club owners and probe shocking safety lapses that caused the tragedy.
25 people were killed and six injured in a massive fire
Goa: The fire that tore through Goa's nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, last Saturday night started small but escalated rapidly, according to Bhavna Joshi, who lost her husband and three sisters in the incident. “In seconds, the fire became huge and uncontrollable. My husband and my sisters were trapped in it. I saw everything,” she said.
In the fire at the club Birch by Romeo Lane, in Arpora village of Goa, 25 people were killed and six injured in a massive blaze that broke out during a Saturday night party.
"We were enjoying ourselves. Everything was normal. Suddenly, there was fire," Bhavna recalled to PTI from her Delhi home earlier this week. “It was small at first, but they could not control it,” she added, tears streaming down her face.
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Her husband Vinod Kumar (43) and three sisters, Kamla Joshi (42), Anita Joshi (41), and Saroj Joshi (39), were among the 25 who lost their lives. Bhavna survived but sustained injuries in the fire.
Authorities said electrically detonated pyrogens used during a belly dancing act likely triggered the blaze. A combination of unsafe conditions including inadequate exits, a thatched roof, stacked alcohol, and pyrogens caused the fire to engulf the 300-square-metre club within minutes.
Bhavna sat in a corner of her home in northeast Delhi's Karawal Nagar during the PTI interview. Her voice stiffened when she spoke of calls from the Goa collector’s office.
"I just want justice for my family. Nothing more, nothing less," she said. “They keep asking for bank details for compensation of two lakh rupees. Are we beggars? Will that bring back my family? Will it return my sisters? I do not want compensation. I want justice.”
Her elderly mother, Meena, described the magnitude of her loss. "I lost my children. I lost everything in that fire. What can a mother say who lost four children at this age?" she asked. “The culprits must not get away with bail or fines. They must face the consequences. I only want justice,” Meena added.
Naveen, Kamla’s husband and Vinod’s elder brother, accused the authorities of negligence. "Many clubs and restaurants flout safety rules. Action should be taken so this does not happen again. Today it happened to us. Tomorrow, it may happen to someone else," he said.
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The four sisters had planned their Goa vacation for months, hoping for a relaxing break as their children were older. Vinod had accompanied them to ensure they felt safe and supported during the trip.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to bring Delhi-based entrepreneurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, back from Thailand. They had fled to Phuket shortly after the fire broke out early on December 7.
The police investigation revealed the club was opened using a forged land agreement. Authorities plan to confront the brothers upon receiving custody, likely early next week. Their bail plea was rejected in Delhi, and a court in Goa will now hear it.
