A night of celebration turned into tragedy less than an hour before midnight on Saturday when a massive fire swept through Birch nightclub in Arpora, Goa, killing 25 people and exposing serious safety lapses at the establishment.
Around 150 people were gathered in the club’s first-floor DJ area when the blaze ignited, reportedly after electric firecrackers used during a performance struck the wooden ceiling. Flames spread rapidly and thick smoke engulfed the venue, plunging it into chaos. In the ensuing panic, 23 people rushed to the basement kitchen in an attempt to escape the fumes but died of suffocation.
Early investigations have revealed that the nightclub was allegedly constructed illegally on a salt pan surrounded by water and was accessible only through a narrow approach road. Authorities also found that the establishment was operating without the required licences and lacked the mandatory fire safety clearance. Director of Fire Services Nitin Raiker confirmed that the owner had not obtained a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department.
Officials said the club had no functional fire alarms or sprinkler systems, inadequate smoke extraction and basement ventilation, an insufficient number of emergency exits, no illuminated signage or emergency lighting, and no fire-rated doors or formal evacuation plan, a combination that investigators say contributed to the scale of the disaster.
In a major development, Goa Police, with assistance from Delhi Police, arrested a man identified as Karan Singh Kohli for his alleged links to the absconding owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. A Look Out Circular has been issued against Saurabh Luthra, who remains untraceable.
Nearly 24 hours after the tragedy, Luthra issued a public statement expressing grief. “The management is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives,” it read. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assure full cooperation and assistance to those affected during this difficult time.”
