A significant fire erupted early Saturday (Sept.28) morning at Tata Electronics' manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, disrupting production of components for Apple’s iPhone. The blaze, which began around 5:30 a.m., caused the evacuation of approximately 1,500 workers and led to significant property damage, halting operations at the facility.

Emergency services responded quickly, deploying 11 fire engines to combat the flames, which originated in the mobile phone accessories painting unit. By late afternoon, the fire was under control, but the full extent of the damage was still being assessed. At least ten employees required medical attention, with two hospitalized due to respiratory issues; however, their conditions are stable.

Tata Electronics confirmed that their emergency protocols successfully ensured the safety of all employees during the incident. "The cause of the fire is under investigation, and we will take necessary actions to safeguard our workforce and stakeholders," a company spokesperson stated.

This incident is yet another challenge for Apple's supply chain in India, where Tata is one of the key suppliers as the company seeks to diversify production beyond China. The timeline for resuming operations at the affected plant remains uncertain, though Tata's chairman has announced plans to expand the workforce at their new assembly facility in Hosur, intending to hire over 20,000 additional employees soon.