Ten people, including a firefighter, were admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties following a fire at a sago factory near Attur in Salem district on Sunday evening.

Police said around 7 p.m., a fire broke out at the factory and spread to a room where 17 bags of chlorine powder, used for cleaning tanks in the factory, were stored. The factory belonged to K. Ravi (45), a resident of Sathasivapuram near Attur.

On noticing the fire, factory workers alerted the Attur Fire and Rescue Services and attempted to douse the flames. However, thick smoke emanating from the room caused several workers to experience breathing difficulties, with some fainting.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot, rescued the affected workers, shifted them to hospital for treatment, and brought the fire under control. During the operation, firefighter N. Vijayakumar (45), a resident of Pethanaickenpalayam, also experienced breathing difficulties and was admitted to hospital.

The nine workers were identified as M. Marimuthu (58), M. Manikandan (30), M. Viji (27), A. Prabakaran (34), B. Srinivasan (27), T. Rajini alias Dharman (49), C. Velu (32), P. Dharmadurai and Dhanush (28).

Police sources said that all 10 people, including the firefighter, were out of danger and getting treatment.

The Attur Rural police registered a case and are investigating further. Preliminary inquires revealed that short circuit is the reason for the fire accident.

Published - August 02, 2026 11:29 pm IST