When the deadly fire in Goa’s ‘Birch By Romeo Lane’ began last night, about 100 tourists were enjoying a much-publicised ‘Bollywood Banger Night’. A video from the popular club in north Goa’s Arpora shows a dancer swaying to the beats of Sholay chartbuster ‘Mehbooba o Mehbooba’. She is seen surrounded by musicians, and the crowd is heard cheering her on.
Suddenly, flames are seen over the console behind the dancer. Two people, apparently the club’s staff, are seen rushing towards the console and removing a laptop from below the flames. Initially, the crowd does not seem alarmed, and someone even says, “aag laga di aapne” (you started a fire), as a compliment to the dancer.
READ: Narrow Exit, Palm Leaves, Big DJ Night: What Led To Goa Nightclub Inferno
But as the fire spreads, the musicians are seen leaving their instruments and walking towards safety. Within moments, the dancer, the staff, and those in the crowd start heading out. The flames are seen spreading rapidly through the ceiling.
Over the next few minutes, the blaze would engulf the nightclub, killing 25 people and injuring six others. The cause of the fire is not yet confirmed. According to witnesses and firefighters, the narrow entry-exit added to the confusion after the fire broke out. While many managed to escape, some tourists fled to the kitchen downstairs and were trapped there with the staff.
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