Overview
- Authorities confirmed 25 deaths and at least six injuries after a late‑night blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, with most victims believed to be staff and some tourists.
- Police registered FIRs and arrested four managers, while owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were booked and are being sought by teams outside the state.
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant cited a preliminary finding that electric firecrackers were used inside, conflicting with earlier police remarks about a cylinder blast, as a multi‑agency panel begins a rapid probe.
- Reports point to missing fire clearances, narrow exits, flammable temporary materials and restricted access that forced fire tenders to stop about 400 metres away, with many deaths attributed to suffocation in the kitchen and ground floor.
- The state announced Rs 5 lakh for next of kin and Rs 50,000 for the injured, the PMO approved Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF per deceased, three senior officials were suspended, and audits of high‑footfall venues were ordered.