Indian authorities are set to begin a forensic investigation into the cause of a fire that broke out on Saturday at a Tata Electronics factory that manufactures components for Apple iPhones, according to a Tamil Nadu state official on Sunday.
The factory, which was closed for a weekly holiday on Sunday, is unlikely to receive state permission to resume production by Monday, said two individuals with direct knowledge of the matter. Neither Tata Electronics nor Apple responded to requests for comment outside of regular business hours. Tata Electronics had previously stated that it was investigating the cause and would take steps to safeguard employees and other stakeholders.
This incident is the latest in a series of recent events affecting Apple suppliers in India, where the US firm is diversifying its supply chain beyond China and views the country as a growth market. The fire at the plant in the city of Hosur started in an area used for storing chemicals, according to a fire official. It has been 'completely put out' and the fumes have ceased, said district administrative official K.M. Sarayu.
Two workers who were hospitalized are expected to be discharged on Sunday, she added. 'We can now go in to investigate,' Sarayu said, noting that a forensic team from state capital Chennai has been dispatched. It remains unclear if the fire affected surrounding buildings, one of which is scheduled to begin assembling iPhones by the end of the year.
