Fire, which broke out at a factory at the SIDCO industrial estate in Kurichi on Sunday morning, was put out after nearly three hours. None was injured in the accident but machinery and goods were damaged.
Fire Officer P. Annadurai said that five fire tenders from the Coimbatore South, North and Peelamedu rushed to the Win Plastics industry after his office received a fire call around 9.15 a.m. Thirty fire-fighters battled the fire for over three hours.
Thick smoke that billowed high into the sky and spread around posed a challenge as it reduced visibility.
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As the fire-fighting continued, they had to marshal a few water tankers to combat the fire. They got support from Rapid Action Force personnel who had rushed in with their vehicles but they were able to put out the fire without using the latter’s vehicle, Mr. Annadurai said and added that the fighters were also able to prevent the spread of fire to neighbouring factories.
The fire gutted three machineries, compressor, air conditioner, auto rickshaw, generator, raw materials and finished goods, said I. Noor Mohamed, one of the partners of the company.
The workers had closed early on Saturday at 4 p.m. to participate in the wedding of the son of a partner and being Sunday, there was none present. The factory manufactures bucket, tub, mug, stool and more than 50 plastic household items.
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On hearing about the news, Mr. Mohamed’s partner Aroon Basha rushed to the spot and fainted after seeing the factory going up in flames. The workers rushed him to a nearby hospital.
Mr. Mohamed said that he had lodged a complaint with the Podanur Police to investigate the cause of fire.