A 48-year-old owner of an incense stick manufacturing unit at Magimandalam village near Katpadi in Vellore escaped unhurt after a fire broke out in the unit on Wednesday, resulting in thick smoke in the area.
Police said it was around 6 am when the owner, S. Baskaran, went to his unit as part of his routine patrol. He noticed thick smoke coming from the unit. He and neighbors and other residents immediately tried to extinguish the fire, but the fire spread to the entire unit, which is about 1,200 square feet.
A 10-member fire brigade team from Katpadi and Melpadi rushed to the spot when they were informed. By the time firefighters got to the scene, the fire had spread to the entire unit. After almost two hours, the firemen extinguished the fire. The entire unit was destroyed. Tons of incense sticks, supplies and machinery were destroyed in the accident.
A case has been registered by the Melpadi police. Police said the incident may have been caused by an electrical short circuit from the main electrical panel inside the house. A probe is underway.
Published – 19 Feb 2026 05:30 IST