The North Goa administration on Wednesday banned fireworks inside all the clubs and restaurants across the region, days after a blaze due electric fireworks killed 25 people at Goa’s ‘Birch by Romeo Lane‘ nightclub. The administration has now issued fresh orders relating to the usage of the fireworks, sparklers and pyrotechnics inside tourist establishments.
According to it, the prohibition of these material applies to all nightclubs, bars and restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, resorts, beach shacks, temporary structures, event venues and entertainment establishments across North Goa, as per the order.
Why the order now?
A preliminary inquiry into the Goa club fire in Arpora suggested that “electric firecrackers” were set off inside the premises, sparking a blaze that claimed 25 lives. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had also confirmed electric firecrackers as the reason of the incident.
A senior official, meanwhile, told PTI, “The order has been issued under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, prohibiting the use, bursting, ignition or operation of fireworks, sparklers, pyrotechnic effects, flame thrower-type devices, smoke generators and similar fire/smoke-producing equipment inside tourist establishments.”
What happened so far
A blaze at ‘birch by Romeo Lane’ on the night of Dec 6 killed 25 people in Goa. The firefighting efforts faced difficulties due to narrow lane entrance of the club. A probe revealed the club did not implement fire safety measures, and violated the norms for the same.
Amid this, the main owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, fled to Thailand while the flames were still raging at their club. At the request of the CBI, Interpol also issued a Blue Corner notice against them. The authorities have already suspended their passports, limiting their chances to flee now.
(With PTI inputs)