A significant fire broke out at the Tata Electronics facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, causing substantial disruption to the plant's operations. The fire occurred at a chemical godown on the campus around 5:30 am.
Despite the severity of the fire, no human casualties or injuries were reported. However, four workers were admitted to a private hospital in Hosur due to respiratory issues caused by smoke inhalation. They are reportedly stable and receiving medical treatment.
Firefighting Efforts
Multiple fire tenders and rescue services were deployed to combat the fire. Over 10 Fire and Rescue Services vehicles from nearby areas, including Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, were involved in the firefighting efforts. As of late afternoon, 11 fire engines were still on site to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
The fire spread significantly, with thick smoke visible in the skies around the facility. Firefighters managed to control the blaze in the outer complex but were still working to fully extinguish it in the core areas.
Impact on Operations
The incident has halted production at the facility, which is a key supplier of precision components for Apple's iPhone. The plant, with a workforce of over 4,000 employees, plays a crucial role in Apple's supply chain in India. It is unclear how long production will be suspended while the company assesses the damage and implements safety protocols.
Tata Electronics has stated that their emergency protocols ensured the safe evacuation of all employees. The company is investigating the cause of the fire and will take necessary actions to safeguard the interests of its employees and other stakeholders.
Investment and Expansion
The Hosur facility is part of Tata Group's significant investment in the electronics manufacturing sector, with an investment of around ₹5,000 crore for iPhone component manufacturing. The company is also set to start production at its new iPhone assembly plant in Hosur, which will employ an additional 35,000-40,000 employees, making it one of Apple's largest facilities in India.
Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to check if any safety regulations were breached.
