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A massive fire at Goa’s Arpora-based Birk Nightclub claimed 25 lives after a suspected cylinder blast triggered a swift blaze late at night. Heavy crowd due to a DJ–dancer performance worsened the chaos, leaving many trapped. Several employees and tourists died of suffocation.
25 Killed as Safety Lapses Emerge in Goa Nightclub Fire Probe
Panaji: A massive fire broke out late Thursday night at the popular Birq nightclub in the Arpora area of Goa, killing 25 people. The incident occurred when the club was crowded with people attending a DJ and dancer performance. The sudden fire and loud explosion gave people no time to react.
Preliminary investigations revealed that gas cylinders in the nightclub's kitchen exploded. Following this explosion, the fire spread rapidly throughout the premises. Eyewitnesses said the fire was so intense that smoke filled the area within seconds, and people rushed to get out, but due to limited exits, many were trapped inside.
Sanjay Kumar Gupta, a security guard at the nightclub, said the incident occurred between 11 and 12 pm. He was stationed at the gate when he suddenly heard loud screams from inside. He said, “There was a DJ and dancer performance scheduled at the club, so it was more crowded than usual.”
Another local resident said, “I was returning home when I suddenly heard a loud explosion. Shortly after, police and fire brigade vehicles arrived. By the time we reached the spot, the fire had spread considerably, and the tragedy had already occurred.”
Another security guard confirmed that “a cylinder blast was the cause of the fire, and the sound was heard throughout the area.”
According to the Goa Police, the deceased include 14 nightclub employees, four tourists, and seven unidentified individuals. Six people were injured and are receiving treatment. The police and fire department are jointly investigating the cause of the fire and identifying those responsible. Initial reports suggest that the club was not adhering to safety standards and fire safety regulations.
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Upon receiving information about the incident, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site. He stated that most of the deaths were due to suffocation and that the majority of the deceased were employees. Sawant asserted that strict action would be taken against the culprits.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the families of the deceased will receive ₹2 lakh and the injured will receive ₹50,000 in financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
