Ghaziabad Man Dies Saving Family in Goa Nightclub Inferno

New Delhi, December 08, 2025: The inferno broke out late Saturday night at the popular ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, reportedly sparked by electric firecrackers hitting a wooden ceiling during a live event. The blaze spread with terrifying speed, plunging the crowded venue into chaos.

A Selfless Act, A Family Lost

Vinod Kumar, along with his wife Bhavana Joshi and her three sisters—Anita, Saroj, and Kamala—were inside the club when panic erupted. In the desperate rush to escape, Vinod managed to push his wife, Bhavana, out through the main entrance and into safety.

Bhavana was alive but separated from her husband and sisters. In a stunning display of courage, Vinod immediately turned back into the roaring flames to rescue the three trapped sisters. Tragically, all four were engulfed by the fire and did not make it out.

Outside, Bhavana waited, frantically calling her husband’s phone, which kept ringing until his body was recovered—her lifeline to him cut short in a matter of minutes. Relatives who have rushed to Goa are now faced with the devastating task of bringing the four bodies back home, shielding the couple’s children from the shocking truth that they have lost their father and three aunts.

Investigation Reveals Safety Failures

The fire tragically claimed a total of 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 club staff members. Initial reports indicate that most victims, including those from the Ghaziabad family, did not die from burns but from suffocation after being trapped in unventilated areas like the basement, with many bodies found piled on top of each other.

The ensuing investigation has revealed severe lapses in safety protocol. Authorities confirmed the club was operating without requisite fire safety clearances and building norms were violated. The management allegedly failed to provide sufficient emergency exits, turning the combustible wooden-interior building into a death trap.

Goa Police have arrested four staff members, including a General Manager, and an FIR has been filed against the Delhi-based club owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, for culpable homicide. The government has also suspended three senior officials for allegedly allowing the club to function despite the safety violations, highlighting a systemic failure that contributed to this massive loss of life.

The entire incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by a man saving his wife, and the critical importance of strict adherence to public safety regulations to prevent such preventable disasters.