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Arpora (Goa): The devastating fire that killed 25 people at a popular Goa nightclub late Saturday night was allegedly triggered when firecrackers were set off during a belly dance performance, eyewitnesses told police and local authorities. On Saturday late night, the blaze broke out at Birch, by Romeo Lane, in Arpora, around 11.30 pm, when nearly 200 people were inside the club, many of them tourists. Among the deceased are four tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven victims are yet to be established, police said.

Firecrackers Ignite Flammable Décor, Say Survivors

An eyewitness from Karnataka, part of a group of four friends vacationing in Goa, said the nightclub had already hosted a DJ set around 10 pm when the belly dance segment began later that night. “During the performance, the club management used some firecrackers. Those crackers came into contact with bamboo, fibre, and a grass-type decorative material on the ceiling. Within minutes, sparks turned into thick smoke and then a massive fire,” he said, requesting anonymity. The fire spread rapidly through the combustible décor, turning the venue into an inferno within minutes, witnesses said.

Panic, Darkness and Stampede Fears as Crowd Fled

Another survivor said the situation worsened when the lights suddenly went out, plunging the club into darkness. “There was thick smoke everywhere. People were pushing and jostling to escape. I heard some explosions and feared a stampede,” she said.

In the chaos, one woman from the Karnataka group sustained burn injuries and faced severe breathing issues due to smoke inhalation. She was first taken to a hospital in Mapusa and later shifted to the Goa Medical College (GMC). Hospital officials said that four injured victims suffered around 12% burns, while one person sustained 29% burn injuries. All are reported to be stable.

Many Victims Trapped, Cause Under Investigation

Police said most victims were trapped in the basement, which had limited exit routes, making evacuation difficult once the fire spread. The identity of seven of the 25 deceased is still being verified. “The exact cause of the fire is under investigation,” police said in an official statement. Forensic teams and fire safety experts are examining whether there were violations of safety norms, including the use of fireworks inside an enclosed public entertainment space.