Fri Apr 11 18:23:50 UTC 2025: ## Ranipet Factory Fire Causes Extensive Damage, No Injuries Reported
**RANIPET, April 11, 2025** – A fire broke out Friday morning at a 5,000 sq. ft. bed-making unit in Kolatheri near Walajah town, causing significant damage but leaving approximately 30 employees unharmed.
The blaze, which started around 11 a.m., quickly engulfed the facility, according to police. Owner N. Sankaran discovered the fire during a routine patrol and attempted to extinguish it with employees and local residents before firefighters arrived.
A 20-member team from Ranipet SIPCOT and Arcot fire departments responded, but the fire had already spread throughout the building by the time they arrived. Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately three hours before bringing it under control. While all employees were safely rescued, the entire unit was destroyed, resulting in an estimated ₹30 lakh (approximately $36,000 USD) in losses to cotton rolls, waste cloth, and machinery.
Residents reported significant eye irritation, particularly among children and the elderly, due to the thick smoke. Walajah police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the fire, which is suspected to be an electrical short circuit.
First Piper 