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We have seen celebrations marred by tragedy when fire destroyed lives at a beach nightclub in Goa and more recently many young lives were lost at a ski resort fire in Switzerland. Who remains accountable?
It takes few seconds for a fire to move from a spark to a raging inferno, a death trap for anyone around. At least 40 people lost their lives and several others were injured with severe burns after a fire broke out at a bar in Switzerland's Crans-Montana on 1 January. The blaze took place at Le Constellation in the luxury Alpine ski resort town following an explosion.
It is speculated that sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year’s Eve revellers. Hundreds of people came to mourn at the memorial mass and silent march at a Swiss ski resort.
25 people were killed; 6 others were injured in a devastating fire at a nightclub in North Goa in December 2025. The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane club, a club in Baga, one of Goa’s most popular beaches, in Arpora village, around 25 km from the state capital, Panaji, shortly after midnight. The cause still remains to be determined divided between safety lapses, cylinder blast and indoor fireworks.
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Some essentials for fire safety include:
Clear Exit
Safe and expeditious exit routes are required in any event space, bar or restaurant. They should be clearly marked and easily accessible and openable. The location and signage of escape routes should be clearly indicated.
Fire safety inspection and risk assessment
This should be routinely conducted, the presence or use of highly flammable materials in wall, ceiling and floor coverings and interior decoration should be limited. Electricity, heating and ventilation systems need to have the correct compliances. Regular risk assessment drills should be carried out.
Managing crowds
Staff should be trained to manage crowds and, in an emergency, show the exit route. Numbers should not exceed the safe capacity of the area. They should be trained to use fire extinguishers which should be readily available.
Use of fireworks inside
Here comes the role of the event planners to also ensure the entertainment does not breach safety norms. Smokers need to ensure stray cigarettes butts don’t ignite lives. Fire craftsperson should ensure safety first , if allowed to use fireworks in the confined interiors.
With so much going on around the word: with geo-political unrest and wars, at least when given, the chance for enjoyment, it should be experienced with the choice of safety. Everyone needs to take accountability, the people who plan the entertainment, we as guests who go there to enjoy and most importantly the owners, and managers who especially around festive times should re ensure that all fire safety protocols are complied with.
