'Fire Safety Infrastructure Absent': Details Of Technical Report On Goa's Birch By Romeo Lane

Last Updated:December 12, 2025, 10:55 IST

The report added that unauthorised hazardous external activities contributed to the severity of the incident and the tragic loss of lives.

Charred remains at the nightclub where a fire broke out in Goa. (PTI)

The Goa government has formed various teams to conduct the audit of pubs, clubs and restaurants across the state. As a part of the review, teams have now found irregularities with other clubs in the state as well, such as Goya.

Goya, one of the popular night clubs in the state, was shut on Thursday because it was built on agricultural land.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate of North Goa has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita imposing a complete ban on indoor use of fireworks, pyrotechnics, flame effects, sparkulars and similar fire equipment in all tourist establishments and event venues.

When a technical analysis was conducted at Birch by Romeo Lane, after the fire which killed 25 people, fire safety team found there was absence of fundamental fire safety infrastructure. They added that unauthorised hazardous external activities contributed to the severity of the incident and the tragic loss of lives.

“Basement had inadequate ventilation and obstructed means of egress, which contributed to the entrapment of the victims," read the report.

The report highlighted that basements represent high-risk zones due to limited natural ventilation, delayed smoke stratification, restricted egress routes, and rapid accumulation of toxic combustion products such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and carbon dioxide.

“The casualty figures strongly indicate that tenability conditions in the basement deteriorated within critical minutes of fire growth. The basement configuration would have allowed rapid smoke accumulation, high concentration of carbon monoxide, zero-visibility conditions in escape routes and flashover conditions in enclosed compartments. These conditions are consistent with fatal smoke exposure within minutes of ignition."

Prima facie the team indicated that there was possible short-circuiting in electrical systems located above the main stage, supported by combustible internal furnishings. However, these findings were eventually nullified after videos emerged showing the use of cold pyros during a dance performance inside the club.

“Prima facie observations also indicated that fireworks activity was being undertaken on the external frontage of the premises at the relevant time," the report read.

Eventual findings said that, “Fire appears to have transitioned rapidly from the incipient stage to the fully developed stage due to the presence of highly combustible interior finishes (wooden panels, partitions, decor), high fuel load density in the restaurant and bar areas, presence of flammable furnishings and plastics, and potential ignition sources from electrical installations and external ignition activities."

News india 'Fire Safety Infrastructure Absent': Details Of Technical Report On Goa's Birch By Romeo Lane

Read More