New Delhi, Dec 7 (LatestNewsX) — A massive fire engulfed the popular Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, early on Sunday, taking the lives of at least 25 people according to the latest figures from Goa Police.
Eyewitnesses say the blaze broke out just after midnight on the bustling Baga belt, sending confusion and panic through nearby residents and tourists. One local who rushed to the scene after seeing the news this morning recalled, “I saw the news this morning and rushed here. Last night, we only heard a very loud siren but we didn’t realize what had happened. We thought something had happened on the road, nothing serious. But in the morning we found out that such a big tragedy had occurred….”
Another tourist, staying at a nearby hotel, described the moment: “We had just reached our hotel when we noticed reddish flames coming out. When we went to check, the police were already there managing the situation….”
A resident in the area mentioned hearing emergency vehicles at midnight but not grasping the severity until the next morning: “It happened at midnight, so not much was known at the time. I heard the sound of an ambulance. In the morning, I found out that perhaps 23 people had died.”
The hospital became a focal point as relatives crowded in, anxious for any news on survivors. Several club staff were among the victims, many of whom succumbed to the flames, while the injured are still receiving treatment under tight police security. Bodies have been transported to the mortuary, and authorities are still working to identify several of the deceased.
Investigators suspect the fire was sparked by a gas cylinder explosion inside the club. The sudden blast gave those inside little time to escape, especially the employees who were present. Firefighting units from several stations arrived promptly, battling the flames into the early hours of Sunday. Rescue teams pressed on until dawn, searching for survivors and dousing lingering hotspots. Senior police officials, including the Director General of Police and teams from North Goa district, arrived shortly after the incident to supervise the operation.
In the most recent police update, Goa Police confirmed 25 fatalities, including four identified tourists and 14 club staff members, while seven additional victims’ identities remain unverified as the identification process continues.
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