Fireworks likely cause of blaze; 4 staffers held

A devastating fire at The Birch by Romeo Lane was attributed to critical failures in fire prevention, regulatory compliance, and life safety preparedness by club owners. The establishment lacked a construction license and a fire department NOC, with zero fire safety measures in place. Obstructed exits and hazardous external firework activities exacerbated the tragedy, trapping victims.

A government panel is investigating IndiGo’s alleged delay in preparing for new flight duty rules, potentially lobbying for exemptions instead. The probe will examine if this inaction, alongside other operational lapses, caused the recent flight crisis. The airline’s failure to report preparedness and the DGCA’s handling of the situation are also under scrutiny.