Fire at thermal power plant in Thoothukudi led to a temporary shutdown of units I, II and III, on March 16, 2025. Photo: Special Arrangement
A major fire broke out at the Tuticorin Thermal Power Station (TTPS), leading to temporary shutdown of units I, II and III, with each having the capacity of 210 MW.
The fire, which broke out in the cable gallery of the power supply system late Saturday (March 15, 2025) night and eventually spread to Unit II. The officials immediately alerted the Fire and Rescue Service Team, who began the firefighting operation.
Speaking to The Hindu, J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) confirmed the temporary shutdown of the three units in the power station. Rescue operations were progressing steadily despite the challenges caused by heavy smoke from the burning cables, he added.
District Collector K. Ellambahavath inspects the Thoothukudi Thermal power plant, on March 16, 2025. Photo: Special Arrangement
After inspecting the site on Sunday (March 16), Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath said around 50 fire safety personnel were involved in the operation and 10 water tenders from Thoothukudi and neighboring districts were deployed to control the fire. Units I and II were affected by the fire and unit III was stopped as a precautionary measure, he noted.
He mentioned that two firefighters who suffered from suffocation due to inhalation of smoke were admitted to Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital and their conditions were reported to be stable. Additionally, two ambulances were stationed at the site as a precautionary measure.
To completely extinguish the fire, some areas of the power station had to be broken open. Engineers of the power station and fire service personnel were working together on this task and officials expect the fire to be completely put out by the end of the day.
Published – March 16, 2025 03:20 pm IST