Late Saturday night, around 25 km from Goa's capital Panaji, a fire broke out in a nightclub called Birch by Romeo Lane which claimed the lives of at least 25 people and injured several others.

Initial reports stated that the fire was caused due to a 'cylinder blast', however eyewitnesses report that the fire began on the first floor and spread to other parts of the building.

Most of the people died due to suffocation since they were \"trapped\" in the basement.

According to Chief Minister of the state Pramod Sawant, \"Most of the dead were the club's kitchen workers, and included three women\". He also said among the deceased 2-3 of them were tourists.

Eyewitnesses that since it being a Saturday, the club was jam-packed and there were atleast 100 people on the dance floor itself. All

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