North Goa’s Arpora village witnessed one of its deadliest tragedies late Saturday night after a powerful cylinder explosion inside a popular nightclub sparked a massive fire, killing at least 25 people and injuring several others. The restaurant-cum-club, located around 25 kilometres from Panaji, had opened only last year and was packed with staff and tourists when the blaze erupted.

According to officials, a majority of those who lost their lives were members of the kitchen staff who were working the late shift. The deceased also include three women and four tourists, highlighting the scale and speed with which the flames spread through the establishment. Emergency teams say the intensity of the explosion and the rapid escalation of the fire left many trapped with little time to escape.

The Goa Police, fire services, and medical teams reached the scene within minutes of receiving the distress call. Residents in nearby areas reported hearing a loud blast just before midnight, followed by flames shooting out of the structure.

Goa Director General of Police confirmed the timeline of the incident and the swift emergency response.
“At 12:04 am, the control room received an alert about the fire. Police teams, the fire brigade, and ambulances were immediately dispatched. The blaze has now been brought under control, and all bodies have been recovered,” the DGP said.

Authorities are now conducting a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy. Initial reports suggest possible negligence in handling gas cylinders inside the club’s kitchen area, though officials have not ruled out other angles.