Tata iPhone Component Plant Disrupted by Fire, 10 Receive Medical Aid – Reuters

By Haripriya Suresh and Praveen Paramasivam

HOSUR, India – A significant fire broke out on Saturday at a Tata Electronics plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, which supplies components for Apple iPhones, resulting in at least 10 individuals requiring medical attention, with two needing hospitalization.

This incident adds to the challenges facing Apple’s iPhone supply chain at a time when the company is seeking to expand its operations beyond China and is eyeing India as a vital growth market. It is part of a series of incidents affecting Apple suppliers in India over recent years.

The fire originated in a section of the facility dedicated to manufacturing certain iPhone components and spread near another building within the Tata complex, where complete iPhones are expected to be produced in the coming months.

Authorities reported that the blaze was contained to one building and has since been extinguished. K.M. Sarayu, a top district administrative official, stated that a decision on when production could resume has not yet been made. She noted, "Fumes are still present due to the chemical hazard, and it will take time for the assessment teams to enter the site."

According to Sarayu, there were 523 workers on duty when the fire ignited, and all had been successfully evacuated and accounted for. An eyewitness named Savitri recounted hearing loud noises resembling fireworks shortly after 5:30 a.m. local time, followed by thick smoke billowing from the building.

Tata Electronics, a leading contract manufacturer for iPhones in India alongside Foxconn, is currently investigating the cause of the fire and will implement necessary measures for the safety of its employees and stakeholders. A spokesperson for the company assured that their emergency protocols effectively protected all personnel.

J. Saravanan, a senior district official responsible for industrial safety, mentioned that it is premature to determine when operations might restart since further investigations are needed to assess the damage. He confirmed that the reported injuries were related to smoke inhalation but refrained from providing additional details.

Following the fire, production was halted, and employees were dismissed for the day. Industry sources indicated that it remains uncertain whether a neighboring building slated for smartphone manufacturing would also be affected.

With the facility currently inaccessible, an assessment of the fire damage will be conducted at a later time. As of now, Apple has not released any statement regarding the incident.

A fire official, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the blaze began in an area designated for chemical storage. Last year, another Apple supplier, Foxlink, ceased operations at its assembly site in Andhra Pradesh due to a massive fire that led to partial building collapse.