7 injured in fire at Hyundai car factory

Chennai, Sep 1 (UNI) Seven workers, including two junior engineers of the Hyundai car factory at Sriperumbudur, near here, were injured when fire broke out at a paint shop of the factory this afternoon, causing extensive damage.

No casualty was reported, as the factory was closed for ''power holiday'' today, M Inderjith, Vice President (Production) said, adding all the injured were rushed to the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre.

While three were treated as out-patients, four, including three engineers and a contract worker, who suffered burns and injuries in the ribs were admitted to the hospital for further treatment.

Mr Inderjith said two workers were engaged in the cleaning operation at the paint shop, when they noticed some smoke. Soon the control room alarm sounded and sprinklers started working.

As the workers tried to put out the flames, using the fire fighting equipment in the shop, heat generated and the area became volatile, resulting in falling of the ceiling and injuring the two.

Other workers, including two junior engineers, who rushed to their rescue, also suffered burns and sustained wounds, he added.

Stating that the cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained, Mr Inderjith said the extent of damage was being assessed.

He said the paint shop had every expensive and sophisticated equipment. It had a paint booth, six robots and Air Handling Units (AHU), he said, adding only after a detailed study, the extent of the damage could be ascertained.

Two fire tender units in the factory were immediately pressed into service. Fire tender units from Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram and neighbouring areas also rushed to the spot and put out the fire in about 45 minutes, he added.

UNI XR/WS ATI RAI2008