'Single entry & exit, dangerous wiring': After Arpora blaze, 'Cape Goa' sealed over fire threat; 29 LPG cylinders found on exit

PANAJI: State govt on Monday sealed The Cape Goa, an upmarket hotel that was operating using a temporary shack licence on the Cabo de Rama hill face in South Goa.

The hotel, which included a sea-facing restaurant with seating capacity for close to 100 persons, was originally meant to be an 18x8 structure for only 24 individuals, said senior officials.


While it is the state’s fourth tourism establishment that is in the dock, it is the first hotel to be sealed and the first in South Goa to face the consequences for safety and regulatory violations in the aftermath of the blaze at a nightclub at Arpora. The authorities who sealed it cited a grave risk of fire and an imminent threat to human life and property.

The joint enforcement and monitoring committee also found electrical, structural and safety violations.

“The main reason for sealing the hotel is that there is a single entry and exit. The team went a few days earlier to inspect it and found several fire safety violations. It visited the site again on Monday to see if corrective measures were being taken,” said an IAS officer.

Govt authorities said that operations will remain shut until full compliance by the management of Cape Goa and clearance by the competent authorities.

During the inspection, authorities found that the hotel management lacked an approved structural stability certificate and plans. The kitchen was found unsafe with no proper exits and thus deemed to be a high fire risk area. The order issued by the committee also noted that fire extinguishers were absent in the kitchen, restaurant, staff quarters and storeroom.

“The exit point was obstructed by 29 commercial LPG cylinders. Loose connections and electrical joints were noticed and the entire wiring is dangerous,” said an official who went to the site. The exit was a steep and narrow staircase carved and constructed along the hill side.

Twenty-five persons were killed in the fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, prompting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to order a fire safety audit at all tourism establishments while constituting joint enforcement and monitoring committees for each district to inspect and seal establishments.

The joint enforcement and monitoring committee consists of a senior bureaucrat, the police inspector, a fire safety inspector, and officials from the district administration.

Cape Goa is built on the rocky cliff at Cabo de Rama, and despite the temporary nature of the structure, the sea-facing cottages can go for at least Rs 20,000 per night. The beach side cottages included open to the sky bath tubs for couples.

The first nightclub to be sealed was Goya, followed by Cafe CO2 and Diaz Goa on Sunday. The authorities expressed concern about the structural stability of the built-up structures. The use of fireworks within the nightclubs was also noticed.

To date, inspections have been carried out at key locations including Pernem, Calangute, Candolim, Nerul, Baga, Arpora, Vagator, Panaji and Anjuna, with a focus on verifying fire safety measures and ensuring statutory compliance. The committee reviews essential safety systems, emergency preparedness, and adherence to mandated norms and often issues directions on the spot where lapses are noticed.

The audit and scrutiny of Goa’s nightlife come just 10 days ahead of the Christmas and New Year season. An intensive drive is on to inspect and seal tourism establishments flouting norms as the state gears up for its busiest fortnight and comes at a time when govt is keen to send a message that the safety of tourists will not be compromised.