Birch Nightclub Fire: 6 Arrested as Goa Police Issue Lookout Circular for Owners After Blaze Kills 25

New Delhi: In a major development in the Birch nightclub fire incident, the Goa police have arrested 6 more people, including three general managers and one bar manager, in connection with the massive Goa nightclub fire that claimed the lives of 25 people and injured six. The Look Out Circular (LOC) has also been issued by the Goa police against the club owners Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, who were reportedly absconding after the incident.

Those arrested in connection with the tragic incident are: 

1. Rajiv Modak, 49, Chief General Manager, a native of RK Puram, New Delhi.
2. Priyanshu Thakur, 32, Gate Manager, from Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.
3. Rajveer Singhania, 32, bar manager, from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
4. Vivek Singh, 27, General Manager, from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.
5. Bharat Kohli, from Delhi, who oversaw the club's daily operations.
6. Bhola, from Delhi, was also detained last night by the Delhi Police in connection with the case of the absconding club owners. 

These arrests came after the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch, Roshan Redkar, was held earlier on Sunday.

What Sparked the Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire?

The late-night celebration turned into a tragedy after a fire broke out shortly on Saturday night at the popular Birch by Romeo Lane club in the Baga area of Arpora. While initial reports indicated a suspected cylinder blast, fresh local media reports have suggested the blaze may have been triggered by an electric pyro gun used inside the club during the event. 

Later, the Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, on Sunday clarified that the internal fireworks triggered the fire inside the nightclub, which spread rapidly due to timber frameworks and wooden furniture. CM Sawant's statement has dismissed earlier speculation that a cylinder blast had led to the tragedy. 

He also announced that the fact-finding panel will deliver a detailed report within a week after a thorough investigation and promised financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

Key Officials Suspended

As the investigation into the deadly Goa nightclub fire deepens, the Directorate of Vigilance, Government of Goa, has suspended several officials with immediate effect. The suspended individuals are:

1. Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, the then Director & Additional Director of Panchayat.
2. Reghuvir D Bagkar, the then Secretary of the Village Panchayat, Arpora-Nagoa.
3. Dr Shamila Monteiro, Director of Fisheries and the then Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board.

Another Heartbreaking Video Emerged 

A newly surfaced video from inside the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, reveals the horrifying moments people were trapped as flames engulfed the premises. The disturbing footage shows thick, choking smoke rapidly filling the hall. Guests are seen desperately struggling to navigate and find an escape route through the blinding haze.