Authorities begin forensic investigation into fire incident at Tata Electronics plant

Authorities will launch a forensic investigation into the fire that broke out on Saturday, September 28, at Tata Electronics' Hosur factory in Tamil Nadu, which makes components for the Apple iPhone, Reuters news agency reported on Sunday. September 28, citing a state official 29.

The factory has a weekly holiday on Sunday and is unlikely to receive government approval to resume production by Monday, the agency reported, citing two people aware of the development.

Both Tata Electronics and Apple did not respond to the agency's requests for comment outside business hours. Tata Electronics had previously said the company was investigating the cause and would take measures to protect employees and other stakeholders, the agency reported.

The fire incident is the latest development affecting Apple's suppliers in India. At a time when the smartphone maker is diversifying its supply chain beyond China, it sees India as a growth market, according to the report.

What happened at the Hosur plant?

The fire at the Hosur plant started in an area where chemicals were stored, a fire official told the agency.

The fire, which broke out on September 28, has been “completely extinguished” and smoke has stopped, said KMSarayu, a district administration official quoted in the agency's report.

Two workers at the plant who were hospitalized are expected to be discharged on Sunday, Sarayu said in the report. “We can now start the investigation,” she said, explaining that a forensic team from Chennai had been sent to the spot, according to the agency’s report.

It remains unclear whether the fire incident affected surrounding buildings, one of which was scheduled to begin assembling iPhones by the end of the year, according to the report.

Police officials at the scene told news agency PTI that there were no casualties and no one was injured in the incident, Mint reported earlier, citing the agency report.

“There was an unfortunate fire at our factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Our factory emergency protocols ensured that all of our employees were safe. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and we will take necessary measures to protect the interests of our employees and other stakeholders,” the company said in an official statement on Saturday.