Panaji, Dec 7 (UNI) A newly surfaced video from inside the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora has shed light on the moments leading up to the devastating fire that killed twenty-three people.
The footage shows how swiftly the flames engulfed the venue, prompting panic among performers and staff.
The video captures a female dancer performing on a small platform when, within seconds, flames erupt from the ceiling directly above her. The fire spreads rapidly across the overhead structure, and the dancer along with other staff members is seen fleeing as smoke begins to fill the space. No fire-safety systems appear to activate during the sequence shown in the clip.
Police said the blaze was triggered by a cylinder explosion. The Goa Police control room received an emergency call at 12:04 a.m., and response teams were immediately dispatched. The Director General of Police confirmed that the fire was brought under control and that all bodies were recovered from the site.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the nightclub late at night, said most of the victims were kitchen staff, including three women, while three to four tourists were also among the dead.
He stated that preliminary findings indicate major lapses in fire-safety compliance, adding that strict action will be taken against the club management and any officials responsible for permitting operations despite violations.
Earlier videos circulating on social media platform X showed flames engulfing nearly the entire structure of the nightclub, located near Baga beach and roughly twenty-five kilometres from Panaji.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences on X, extending sympathies to the families of the deceased and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also described the incident as deeply saddening and said he had spoken to the Chief Minister. He assured that the state government was providing all possible assistance to those affected.
