Goa fire: FIR reveals negligence, no permits, fire norms flouted
What's the story
The tragic fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, Goa, which claimed 25 lives, could have been avoided had the owners and organizers followed basic fire-safety rules, an FIR has revealed. The FIR filed by the Goa Police highlights major negligence on their part. It said the upscale restaurant-club hosted a fire show without any safety equipment like extinguishers or alarms and did not conduct a fire audit.
Negligence revealed
Club's negligence and owners' escape
The FIR also points out that there were no emergency exits on the ground floor or deck of the club, trapping guests as fire spread. The club was running without necessary permissions or licenses from authorities. The owners, Saurabh Luthra and his brother Gaurav, and event organizer are now charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder among other offenses for negligent acts endangering life.
Escape and investigation
Owners' escape and international manhunt
After the incident, the Luthra brothers fled India within hours. They took an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Phuket at 5:30am on December 7, just hours after the fire broke out. The Goa Police has now sought Interpol's help to detain them abroad and canceled their passports. A Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them.
Arrests and discoveries
Ongoing investigations and arrests
So far, five people have been arrested in connection with the fire, including co-owner Ajay Gupta. Another investigation has revealed that the Luthra brothers own another outlet at Vagator which also violated fire norms and safety regulations. This property was partly built on government land and authorities razed a portion of it on Wednesday.