A tragic fire at the “Birch by Romeo Lane” nightclub in Goa killed 25 people. Police have filed an FIR against owner Saurabh Luthra, along with other parties, and detained the local sarpanch. The incident has exposed major lapses in safety regulation enforcement in hospitality venues.
What Happened at the Club
Late on the night of Saturday (technically early Sunday) in Arpora, North Goa, a massive fire broke out at the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane. Initial reports indicate the fire was triggered by a gas-cylinder blast, though some eyewitnesses claim flames erupted from the club’s dance floor, where around 100 tourists were present.
As panic spread, many people fled toward the ground floor and kitchen area to escape. Tragically, a large number got trapped — particularly in the basement/kitchen — due to narrow exits and inadequate escape routes. Firefighters reportedly had to park their tankers some 400 metres away, severely delaying rescue efforts.
By the time the blaze was under control, 25 people were confirmed dead; six others were injured. Among the deceased were 14 staff members and several tourists; the identities of a few victims were still being verified.
Why Police FIR and Arrest / Detention
Owners Held Responsible
Goa Police FIR against the club’s owners — most notably Saurabh Luthra and another individual, Gaurav Luthra — along with the general manager and event organisers.
The charges stem from alleged serious violations: the club building was reportedly constructed without the necessary approvals or construction licence. According to the panchayat sarpanch of the area, Roshan Redkar, there had been complaints against the club for operating illegally, and a demolition notice had been issued — though it was reportedly stayed by a higher authority.
Authorities allege that use of flammable materials, narrow exits, restricted escape routes, and overall non-compliance with fire and safety norms contributed heavily to the tragic outcome.
Sarpanch Detained
The local sarpanch Roshan Redkar has also been detained allegedly issuing a trade licence for the premises back in 2013 — a licence that underpins the legitimacy of the club’s operations.
Together, these actions suggest investigators are probing both managerial negligence and possible regulatory failures — including whether local authorities granted permissions improperly or ignored earlier violations.
Who Is Saurabh Luthra
Before entering the F&B (food & beverage) sector, Luthra reportedly had an engineering background — described by the chain as a “gold-medalist engineer-turned restaurateur.” The group had earned accolades over the years for its outlets, organic cocktails, and growing presence since at least 2016.
However, in light of this tragedy, his past reputation and achievements are under severe scrutiny: the allegations now centre on possible illegal construction, safety negligence and lapses in due regulatory compliance.
Broader Implications & What It Means for Nightlife Regulation
- Safety norms enforcement remains weak: Early details suggest the club lacked proper construction licence, escape routes were inadequate, and building access was narrow — making rescue operations difficult. This points to systemic issues in how fire and building-safety regulations are enforced for nightlife venues.
- Questionable regulatory oversight: The fact that a demolition notice had been issued earlier — but was stayed — raises serious questions about the checks and balances in licensing and construction-approval processes.
- Need for proactive audits: Local authorities in Goa, including panchayats and state regulators, have reportedly vowed to audit all nightclubs and restaurants for fire-safety compliance following this incident.
- Potential legal cascade: With FIRs filed against owners, management and even local officials, this case may lead to wider accountability — perhaps even stricter norms for nightlife venues across India.
The tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane Goa is a stark reminder of the human cost when regulatory safeguards fail. As investigations proceed, the coming days will likely reveal deeper systemic failures — and hopefully lead to reforms that prevent such loss of life in the future.
