Saurabh Luthra, the owner of Goa's ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub reacted to the fire that killed 25 people and said he was “deeply shaken” by the incident...

Goa witnessed a devastating tragedy over the weekend when a fire at the popular nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora claimed 25 lives, including 20 staff members and five tourists. On Monday, the club’s owner, Saurabh Luthra, expressed grief and solidarity with the victims’ families. Taking to Instagram, Luthra wrote: “The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch.” He assured “every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation” to those affected, adding that the management stands in “unwavering solidarity” with the bereaved. The blaze erupted during a belly dance performance, with eyewitnesses alleging that cold pyro sticks ignited the bamboo and fibre ceiling, leading to the rapid spread of flames. A viral video captured the moment sparks appeared from the roof as music played, turning the celebration into chaos. Police have arrested four members of the nightclub’s management, including senior officials, as investigations continue into the cause of the fire. Romeo Lane, Luthra’s chain of upscale restaurants and bars, operates across India and abroad. Known as a gold medalist engineer turned restaurateur, Luthra now faces the darkest chapter of his career amid mounting questions over safety lapses.