A devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, claimed 25 lives, including tourists and staff, after a suspected cylinder blast triggered a blaze shortly after midnight on Sunday. The incident has raised urgent questions about safety compliance, access routes, and the legality of the nightclub’s construction.

Authorities confirmed that the fire spread rapidly due to the structure’s palm-leaf-based temporary roofing, which caught fire easily and engulfed the premises within minutes. Eyewitnesses reported panic on the crowded dance floor, with many people rushing toward a narrow staircase that led to the kitchen, where several became trapped.

Narrow Access Delays Firefighters

The nightclub’s remote backwater location and single narrow approach road made resc

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