Fire tragedy: Goa govt steps up action against club chain; 2 properties sealed

The Goa government has intensified its crackdown on the controversial Romeo Lane club chain after a deadly fire at one of its outlets claimed 25 lives, officials said on Monday.

Two other properties of the hospitality company in Goa have been sealed, they said.

A state police team also left for Delhi on Sunday to search for the property promoters -- Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra -- against whom an FIR has been registered, they said.

Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub at Arpora in North Goa, caught fire on Sunday, killing 25 people, the majority of whom were their staffers, they said.

The Anjuna police in Goa have arrested the club's chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur.

The North Goa district administration has sealed a beach shack and another club, both part of the Romeo Lane chain, located at Vagator and Assagao, respectively, an official said.

Action has been initiated against both properties as they were involved in disputes, the official said.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that a team of state police had left for Delhi in search of the Luthras.

Both the promoters would be arrested as an FIR has been registered against them in connection with the blaze, he added.

Fireworks emerged as the likely cause of the blaze at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora, located 25 km from Panaji, officials said on Sunday, adding that the facility allegedly did not possess even a fire department NOC.