Koder House fire exposes safety gaps in Fort Kochi heritage buildings

The 218-year-old Koder House in Fort Kochi was gutted in a fire on Tuesday, 29 September, with the upper floor completely destroyed. No casualties were reported. The Federal reports that a short circuit is suspected. The Hindu adds that the three-storey building, a heritage landmark associated with Kochi's Jewish community and operated as a boutique hotel, had fire extinguishers but they were inadequate against strong coastal winds, and the property did not require a no-objection certificate from the fire department as it is under 1,000 sq m.

Fire and Rescue Services units from Mattancherry were deployed, with Navy and Coast Guard support to prevent the fire spreading to nearby structures, The Federal reports. The Times of India describes the building as a 300-year-old landmark. The Indian Express notes that heritage experts differ on the building's age, with some saying it dates to the Dutch period (1663-1795). The Hindu reports that the Ernakulam District Fire Officer will submit a proposal to the District Collector seeking dedicated firefighting equipment, including water hydrants, at strategic locations in Fort Kochi. Firefighters remain on site due to risk of reignition from heavy wooden materials.