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Major Fire at Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre Causes Estimated ₹150 Crore in Damages

This image illustrates an incident at the "Bangalore Bioinnovation Center," highlighting a fire that caused damages estimated at ₹150 crores. The design features a bold orange sketch of a building on fire, with prominent flames rising from the rooftop, accompanied by impactful text emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
By
Anurag Trivedi
2 min read

A significant fire broke out at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) located in Bengaluru's Electronic City on January 15, 2025. The blaze resulted in extensive damage to the facility's infrastructure and the destruction of critical equipment belonging to several startups. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as the incident occurred on a public holiday.

Incident Details:

  • Date and Time: The fire was reported on the morning of January 15, 2025.
  • Location: Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, Electronic City, Bengaluru.
  • Cause: Preliminary investigations suggest that improper handling of an inflammable solvent led to the fire.

Extent of Damage:

  • Infrastructure Losses: The second floor of the building, recently renovated to accommodate more startups, was completely destroyed. The fire also spread to lower floors via the air-conditioning systems. The estimated damage to the building's infrastructure is around ₹42 crore.
  • Startup Equipment Losses: Startups housed within the BBC suffered equipment losses estimated between ₹80 crore and ₹110 crore. Critical facilities, including the Bio Bank, Cleanroom facilities, and HVAC systems, were severely affected.

Affected Startups:

A list of impacted startups has been released, including Fermbox, Phyxx 44, Ajitha Prodrug, among others. These companies have lost essential equipment vital for their operations.

Safety Measures and Response:

Minister Priyank Kharge stated that startups were previously advised against storing large quantities of flammable chemicals in their laboratories and were provided with designated storage areas for such materials. The timely response of the fire department ensured that the blaze was contained, preventing further damage.

About Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC):

The BBC is a state-of-the-art translational research and entrepreneurship center established by the Government of Karnataka. Located within the Bangalore Helix Park at Electronic City, it caters to startups in various life sciences sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, food/nutrition, industrial biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology.

Our Opinion on the News:

The fire at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre is a significant setback for the startups and innovators housed within the facility. While the absence of casualties is a relief, the substantial financial losses and disruption to research and development activities are considerable. This incident underscores the critical importance of stringent safety protocols, especially in facilities dealing with hazardous materials. It is imperative for management and resident startups to reassess and reinforce safety measures to prevent such occurrences in the future