Goa nightclub fire prompts Noida to launch citywide safety checks; strict warning issued

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Days after a deadly fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub in Goa, killed 25 people, Noida Police has started a large and intensive inspection drive across the city. The aim is to make sure restaurants, bars, and entertainment places are strictly following safety rules, officials said on Tuesday.

Teams from several departments, the Fire Services Department led by the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), the Excise Department, and the Electrical Safety Department, are carrying out joint surprise checks, The Indian Express reported.

The inspections across various establishments are to identify and rectify any shortcomings related to fire safety, electrical infrastructure, and overall public safety.

So far, officials have conducted detailed inspections at nearly 50 restaurants and bars located in different police station areas of Noida. According to Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar, at least 12 establishments were checked on Monday and another 22 on Tuesday.

“We have not found anything lacking as of now but if we do, we will inform the Excise Department. Our priority is to focus on all critical safety measures — availability and proper functioning of emergency exits; presence, validity, and operability of fire safety equipment such as fire alarms and extinguishers; and electrical safety, including wiring, earthing, load management, and appliance safety,” the CFO was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Inspection teams are also checking ventilation and smoke control systems, permitted occupancy levels, crowd management, safe handling of gas cylinders, cleanliness, storage practices, and whether all licences and approvals are up to date.

Officials said that while most places are following the rules, some locations had shortcomings. Those places were asked to take immediate corrective steps.

Authorities have warned that any serious violation will lead to legal action.