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India to probe fire at Tata plant making elements for Apple iPhones

Indian authorities are set to begin a forensic investigation into the cause of a fire that broke out on Saturday at a Tata Electronic devices factory that makes components for Apple iPhones, a Tamil Nadu state official said on Sunday.

The factory, for which Sunday was a weekly vacation, is unlikely to get state approval to resume production by Monday, said 2 people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Neither Tata Electronic devices nor Apple reacted to ask for remark outside of regular company hours. Tata Electronic devices previously stated it was examining the cause and would take actions to secure employees and other stakeholders.

The incident is the current in the last few years to affect Apple providers in India, where the U.S. firm is diversifying its supply chain beyond China and which it sees as a growth market.

The fire at the plant in the city of Hosur began in an area utilized to keep chemicals, a fire authorities informed Reuters.

It has been totally put out and fumes have stopped, stated district administrative main K.M. Sarayu.

Two employees who were hospitalised are likely to be released on Sunday, she said.

We can now go in to investigate, Sarayu said, adding that a forensic team from state capital Chennai has actually been dispatched.

It was unclear if the fire affected surrounding buildings, among which is set to start assembling iPhones by year-end.

(source: Reuters)