Fire at multi-storey commercial building in Mumbai; 17 suffer from suffocation
Mumbai (PTI): As many as 17 persons suffered from suffocation after a fire broke out at a 13-storey commercial building in Mumbai's Jogeshwari suburb on Thursday morning, officials said.
Nine of those who complained of suffocation were being treated at the nearby civic-run HBT Hospital, a civic official said, adding that eight others opted to be discharged against medical advice.
Thick black smoke billowed across the glass facade as the fire started at JNS Business Center near Gandhi School around 10.50 am, he said.
The blaze has been covered from all sides and dousing operations were underway, he added.
Flames spread from the 9th to 13th floor of the glass-facade building. They also spread between the 4th and 13th floors in the electric duct.
A fire brigade official said that at least 12 fire engines and other firefighting equipment have been pressed into service.
Fire brigade personnel rescued a total of 27 people including two women from various floors through the staircase and using hydraulic platform ladders, he said.
Flames were confined to electric wiring and installations, false ceilings, doors, windows, electric and AC ducts and furniture, the official informed.
Smoke filled up offices from the 11th to 13th floor, and fire brigade personnel broke the glass facade to allow ventilation, the official said.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
