'Deeply shaken': Goa nightclub owner Saurabh Luthra on fire that killed 25; pledges support to families

A burned-out interior is seen inside the Birch nightclub following the fire that broke out on December 7.

Saurabh Luthra, the owner of Birch by Romeo Lane, the North Goa nightclub where a fire claimed 25 lives, broke his silence on Monday, expressing profound grief over the tragedy.

Luthra, owner and chairman of Birch, Romeo Lane, and Caha, posted on Instagram, stating, “The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch.”

He added that the organisation would provide “every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation” to victims’ families and stands in “unwavering solidarity” with the bereaved and injured.

Goa police have registered an FIR against the owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, and issued a lookout notice. Four managers linked to the club’s operations have been arrested: Rajiv Modak, Chief General Manager; Priyanshu Thakur, Gate Manager; Rajveer Singhania, Bar Manager; and Vivek Singh, General Manager.

The four were remanded to six days of police custody. A fifth arrest was made when the club’s manager, Bharat, was taken into custody in Delhi and brought to Goa for questioning.

Investigating officers are checking safety protocols, staff training, emergency preparedness, and whether the managers were aware of missing regulatory clearances.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight on December 7, reportedly triggered by a gas cylinder explosion in the kitchen. Eyewitnesses said sparks from a pyro gun used during a performance may have ignited the wooden roof, causing flames to spread rapidly.

Over 100 people were inside the club when the fire erupted, and many became trapped in the basement. Most victims died of suffocation.

Among the 25 deceased, four were tourists from Delhi, while the remaining 20–21 were staff members from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Nepal. Six people were injured; one has been discharged, while five remain hospitalised.

Postmortem examinations for 17 victims have been completed, and five bodies have been released to families for final rites. Authorities continue to identify the remaining victims.

Investigations have revealed lapses in regulatory approvals.

The local panchayat issued a licence for the nightclub in 2023, but key documents were missing, including a provisional No Objection Certificate from the Pollution Control Board. A detailed probe will examine whether due process was bypassed and who authorised the permissions.

Following the incident, the Goa government has ordered fire safety audits at nightclubs and entertainment venues across the state to prevent further incidents.