Major fire in Amara Raja group unit near Chittoor

A major fire broke out at the Rs 150-crore Mangal Industries, a subsidiary of Amara Raja Group, at Petamitta village of Puthalapattu mandal, 25 km from here, on Saturday, with reports of damage to the building and industrial equipment put at ₹20 crore. However, there were no casualties or injuries.

According to the eyewitnesses, around 8 a.m., a spark emanated from the control panel at the zing coating segment of the unit, which manufactures bolts and nuts meant for the two-wheeler and SUV majors. While the shift personnel were busy with their work, giving zinc coating to the finished goods, dipping them in 70 tanks with a capacity of 400 litres each, the spark led to fire and spread to all the tanks of polymer substance in no time. Fortunately, around 300 workers inside the unit emerged out safely.

The fire personnel at Pakala mandal headquarters received information from the factory management at 8.15 am and rushed fire tenders. Four more fire tenders from Chittoor, Puthalapattu and Piler joined the others to put out the fire by 11 a.m.

According to the information received by the Fire department, the Mangal Industries management had put the loss at ₹20 crore. “By attending to the mishap on time, the loss was minimised . The fire was limited to only one segment, the its building was completely damaged. As a precautionary measure, we sought the management to cordon off the zone, as it may collapse at any time,” Mr Reddy said.

Amara Raja group is owned by the family members of Galla Arunakumari, former Congress minister, and present TDP leader. Her son Galla Jayadev is TDP MP of Guntur.