A fire at a popular nightclub in India's Goa state kills at least 25, officials say

"NEW DELHI At least 25 people, including tourists, were killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in India's Goa state, the state's chief minister said Sunday. The blaze occurred just past midnight in Arpora in North Goa, a party hub. Goa's chief minister Pramod Sawant said most of the dead were the club's kitchen workers, as well as three to four tourists. Six were injured and are in stable condition, he said."

"The fire occurred due to a gas cylinder blast and has been extinguished, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, quoting local police. All the bodies have been recovered. It said at least 100 people were on the club's dance floor when the fire broke out and several rushed to the kitchen below in the chaos and got trapped along with staff."

"The nightclub, located along the Arpora river backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit that forced the fire brigades to park their tankers about 400 meters away, the news agency said. The restricted access delayed firefighting efforts, it reported, citing local officials. Local village council official Roshan Redkar told the news agency that authorities had earlier issued a demolition notice for the club as it had no construction permit from the government. But higher officials rolled back the order, he said."

At least 25 people, including three to four tourists, were killed in a nightclub fire in Arpora, North Goa, shortly after midnight. Most victims were kitchen workers; six people were injured and are in stable condition. The blaze was caused by a gas cylinder blast and has been extinguished; authorities recovered all bodies. About 100 people were on the dance floor when the fire broke out, and many rushed to the kitchen and became trapped. The club had narrow entry and exit points that delayed firefighting and had received a demolition notice for lacking construction permits. The state government ordered an inquiry into fire safety and building regulation compliance amid concerns about poor enforcement.

Read at www.npr.org