A major accident occurred at a nightclub in Arpora village, Goa, late Saturday night. Twenty-three people died in a massive fire caused by a cylinder explosion. Most of the deceased were working at the club, according to the Goa Police. According to reports, the deceased include 20 men and three women.
How did the fire start?
Goa Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar said that preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a gas cylinder exploding in the kitchen. Most of the bodies were found in the kitchen area. This clearly indicates that the deceased were club staff. Two bodies were also found on the stairs, suggesting that some people were trying to escape.
Fire engines worked hard to extinguish the fire
As soon as the fire was reported, police, administration, and fire department teams arrived at the scene. Several fire tenders were deployed. The effort to extinguish the fire and evacuate people continued late into the night. Relief and rescue operations are still underway.
CM Sawant expressed grief
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed his grief over the fire. Posting on the social media platform, he wrote, “Today is a very sad day for all of us in Goa. A major fire in Arpora has claimed the lives of 23 people. I am deeply saddened and express my deepest condolences to all the affected families during this difficult time.” He added, “I have visited the site and ordered an investigation into the incident. The investigation will determine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety and building regulations were followed. Those found guilty will face the strictest possible action under the law. Any negligence will be dealt with strictly.”