A devastating fire that tore through the popular North Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane has now claimed 25 lives, with police launching a probe into safety compliance and seeking the establishment’s founder, Saurabh Luthra.
The multi-storey club, located in Arpora, erupted in flames shortly after midnight on Sunday, reportedly triggered by a cylinder blast in the kitchen area. Authorities confirmed that most of the victims were kitchen and service staff, along with a few tourists, with many dying due to suffocation after becoming trapped.
Police Detain Manager, Owner Untraceable
Police have arrested the club’s general manager and named two managers in the First Information Report (FIR). However, founder Saurabh Luthra is reportedly untraceable, with an arrest warrant issued against the owners.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, stated that preliminary reports indicate violations of fire safety norms. He ordered a magisterial inquiry and promised stringent action not only against the management but also against officials who cleared the club to operate.
“As per initial information, the nightclub had not abided by the fire safety norms… We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms,” the Chief Minister said.
Eyewitnesses, including a security guard, reported that over 100 people were inside when the blaze erupted. The high death toll is being attributed to narrow escape routes and the lack of ventilation, especially in the basement where many staff members were trapped.
Who is Saurabh Luthra?
The focus of the police investigation has turned to the founder, Saurabh Luthra, a gold medallist engineer turned restaurateur. According to the nightclub’s website and industry profiles, Luthra:
- Is a B.Tech graduate who previously worked in business development for foreign clients.
- Entered the food and beverage sector in 2016, launching the Romeo Lane brand in New Delhi.
- Has expanded his brand, which includes Birch by Romeo Lane and Mama’s Buoi, across India and overseas, with outlets either present or planned in 22 cities and four countries.
- Is listed as Chairman of Birch and Chairman of Mama’s Buoi on his LinkedIn profile.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed deep condolences over the tragedy, with the PM assuring the state government of all necessary assistance.