Goa nightclub fire: Blaze worsened by wooden interiors, only two exit gates

Panaji: A major fire at a nightclub in Goa killed 25 people after flames spread rapidly through wooden interiors and furniture, with only two exit gates available for those trying to escape, police sources said. Most victims died due to suffocation in an underground kitchen area, as thick smoke cut off oxygen and left them trapped.

Officials said the blaze intensified because the club’s structure, décor and furniture were largely made of wood, allowing the fire and smoke to spread quickly inside the packed premises. There was no blast, and investigators indicated that combustible interiors and limited escape routes were key factors behind the high casualty count, with 23 of the 25 bodies showing no burn injuries and only two badly charred.

Police have arrested four people so far, including gate manager Thakur, and registered an FIR against club owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, with warrants issued for their arrest. A team has been sent to Delhi to trace the owners, who are believed to be absconding and are originally from the national capital.

Authorities stated that officials who cleared the club’s trade licence and permissions will face suspension and a police inquiry as questions grow over safety violations and regulatory lapses. Investigators are probing failures such as inadequate exits, fire safety non-compliance and possible negligence by local authorities.

The list of deceased persons has been compiled to support identification and handover processes, with several post-mortems completed and six bodies already released to families for final rites. In a humanitarian move, the Goa government arranged a special aircraft to airlift the bodies of three victims from Jharkhand to Ranchi so they could be returned swiftly to their families.