At least 25 people died tragically in a massive fire that broke out in the popular nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ located in Arpora, North Goa, on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday. The dead include four tourists and 14 staff members. This accident has once again raised serious questions on the security arrangements of nightclubs. Initial investigation revealed that this club was running illegally and the entry and exit gates of the club were very narrow, which created confusion among the people at the spot.
Investigation has revealed that both the entry and exit of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub were very narrow. There was only one way to reach this club situated on the banks of the backwater, and that too a narrow path.
A senior fire brigade official said that the fire tender had to be parked about 400 meters away from the spot, due to which there was a huge delay in extinguishing the fire and rescue operations. Most of the deaths occurred due to suffocation.
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There was chaos due to fire
Eyewitnesses said that there was chaos when people were running here and there to escape the fire. Fatima Sheikh, a tourist from Hyderabad, said that when the fire broke out, many tourists ran downstairs in panic and reached the kitchen located on the ground floor, where she and the club staff got trapped.
the club was packed
According to eyewitnesses, the club was packed because of the weekend and around 100 people were present on the dance floor. Within minutes the entire club was engulfed in flames and the makeshift structures made of palm leaves further intensified the fire.
Nightclub was running illegally
Investigation has also revealed that this nightclub was running illegally and the Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat had issued a demolition notice last year itself to demolish it.
Arpora-Nagoa Sarpanch Roshan Redkar said that the entire structure of the club was illegal. When the complaint was received and investigation was conducted, the club was found to have no valid construction license and fire safety rules were being grossly violated in the club.
After this, the Panchayat had issued a demolition notice to the club as per the law, but after the appeal, the Panchayat Directorate postponed it and the club continued running without any fear.
Investigation revealed that environmental clearances were not even taken by the club. This club was an illegal encroachment in the backwater area. Apart from this, many complaints were also received due to the dispute between land owners and business partners with club director Saurabh Luthra.
What did the Chief Minister say?
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said after initial investigation, ‘The fire seems to have started on the upper floor. The doors were very narrow, some people got out, but as the fire increased, the rest got trapped. Many bodies were found in the underground area, where there was severe lack of ventilation.
FIR registered against the owners
The Chief Minister clearly said that the club had not followed the fire safety standards. A magisterial inquiry into the incident has been ordered. The Chief Minister said that an FIR has been registered against the club owner and general managers and warrants have been issued for their arrest. The investigation will find out whether construction and safety rules were followed or not.
There will be fire safety audit of nightclubs
On the other hand, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that now fire safety audit of all nightclubs will be done at the Panchayat level and notices will be issued from Monday itself. The license of those who do not follow the rules will be cancelled.
Goa Police Chief Alok Kumar said that the fire started due to a cylinder burst, but many eyewitnesses do not agree with this. He says that there were about 100 people on the dance floor on the first floor, when suddenly the fire broke out there. Within moments, the temporary structures made of palm leaves spread the fire throughout the club. The exact cause of the fire will not be known until the forensic report comes.
declaration of compensation
After the accident, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced an assistance amount of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
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