Idukki (Keralam), Sep 13 (PTI) A portion of a mattress manufacturing factory at Thodupuzha here was gutted in a fire on Sunday, Fire and Rescue Services officials said.
The fire broke out at Marvel Mattress Factory at Kolani near Thodupuzha around 9.30 am and took more than one-and-a-half hours to be brought under control.
According to officials at the Thodupuzha fire station, workers noticed smoke billowing from the factory and informed the management.
The fire soon spread to other parts of the factory, following which the Fire and Rescue Services were alerted.
Fire tenders from Thodupuzha initially began the firefighting operation.
As the fire could not be brought under control, additional assistance was sought from the Kothamangalam fire station.
Officials said it took more than one-and-a-half hours to bring the fire under control, though smoke was still billowing from the premises.
A large quantity of mattress foam and machinery were damaged in the fire, officials said.
As it was a holiday for employees on Sunday, nobody was present at the factory, averting any casualties.
The exact cause of the fire has not been ascertained, though a short circuit is suspected, officials said.
The damage is suspected to be worth several crore rupees as raw materials and machinery were destroyed in the fire, they added. PTI TBA TBA ROH
