Fire Accident in Seafood Processing Plant Causes Panic

A fire in a seafood processing plant in Pudurpandiapuram led to the fainting of 17 women employees due to suffocation. Officials deployed five fire tenders to control the blaze. The factory operations have been suspended, and the affected women were hospitalized. No ammonia leak was reported.

A fire in a seafood processing plant in Pudurpandiapuram caused panic as 17 women employees fainted from suffocation, officials said Saturday.

Five fire tenders were deployed after an electric short-circuit led to the fire late Friday night, according to a factory official. Thick fumes filled the plant, causing the employees to faint. The General Manager, Velmurugan, clarified there was no ammonia leak as suggested in some reports.

All 17 women required hospitalization and are currently receiving treatment in nearby private hospitals. Factory operations have been suspended, and the employees were relocated as a precaution. Two firefighters were also hospitalized after inhaling smoke. Officials are inspecting the site and further details will be shared after the investigation, said a senior police officer.

(With inputs from agencies.)