PANAJI, Dec 8: The Goa government has intensified its crackdown on the Romeo Lane club chain after a devastating fire at one of its outlets in Arpora claimed 25 lives, officials said Monday. Two additional properties linked to the chain have been sealed as part of the action.
Police have launched a hunt for the promoters, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, with a team dispatched to Delhi after an FIR was registered against them. The fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub late Saturday night killed 25 people, including 20 staff members and five tourists — four from Delhi.
Anjuna police have arrested four senior staffers: chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur. The district administration has also sealed a beach shack at Vagator and another club at Assagao, both part of the Romeo Lane chain, citing ongoing disputes and violations.
Officials said fireworks used inside the Arpora nightclub likely triggered the blaze around 11.45 pm, and the facility allegedly lacked a fire department NOC. Most fatalities occurred due to suffocation after victims were trapped on the ground floor and in the kitchen.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said preliminary findings show the club violated fire safety norms. He has directed Chief Secretary V Candavelou and DGP Alok Kumar to identify officials who allowed the establishment to operate despite the violations. (Agencies)
