Fire breaks out at incense sticks manufacturing unit
A 54-year-old owner of an incense sticks making unit at Rasalapakkam village near Katpadi in Vellore escaped unhurt after fire broke out in the unit on Tuesday, resulting in thick smoke in the area.
Police said that it was around 5 am when V. Mahalingam, owner, went to his unit as part of his routine patrol of the facility, noticed thick smoke coming from the unit. Immediately, along with neighbours and other residents, he tried to douse off the fire, but the fire spread to the entire unit, which is around 1,200 sq.ft.
Based on alert, a 10-member fire fighters’ team from Katpadi rushed to the spot. Before firefighters could reach the spot, fire spread to the entire unit. After nearly two hours of hard labour, fire fighters doused it. The entire unit got completely gutted. Tonnes of incense sticks, stocks and machinery that were estimated around Rs 10 lakhs were destroyed in the accident.
Residents complained of severe eye irritation especially among children and senior citizens due to smoke from the unit. A case was registered by Latheri Town police. Police said an electrical short circuit from the main electrical board inside the house might be the reason for the incident. A probe is underway.
Published – March 04, 2025 11:30 pm IST