A major fire on Tuesday evening gutted the historic Koder House in Fort Kochi, a 200-year-old heritage landmark that functioned as a luxury boutique hotel. The blaze, which triggered a panic situation in the beach town, led to the evacuation of guests and staff, with no injuries reported, according to The Hindu.

The fire erupted around 7 p.m. on one of the top floors of the multi-storey building and quickly spread to other areas. Firefighters from approximately 15 stations in Ernakulam, along with personnel from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, conducted a coordinated operation to bring the blaze under control by 9:30 p.m., The Hindu reported.

Visuals from the scene showed the building engulfed in "orange and deep yellow flames," as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, according to NDTV.

Emergency Response and Evacuation Efforts

A major tragedy was averted due to the timely evacuation of guests and staff shortly after the flames were spotted, according to Fire and Rescue Service sources cited by The Hindu. Residents and visitors from nearby buildings were also moved to safety. While no one was injured and no individuals were trapped inside, some guests lost their belongings in the fire.

"No one has been injured in the accident. Luckily, nobody was trapped inside," an officer with the Mattancherry fire station told The Hindu. The officer noted that strong coastal winds exacerbated the fire, which consumed most of the colonial structure.

The Indian Navy joined the firefighting efforts after receiving a request for assistance from the Kochi City police. Defence fire tenders from INS Dronacharya, INS Venduruthy, and INS Garuda were pressed into service, the Navy stated in a release, according to The Hindu. The Coast Guard also provided assistance in the operation.

Despite the coordinated efforts, congested roads posed challenges for the rescue mission, even with police managing traffic, The Hindu reported.

Historical Significance of Koder House

Koder House, originally built in 1808, is a key heritage landmark in Fort Kochi. The restored Indo-Portuguese red-brick mansion, located on Tower Road, is an integral part of Kochi’s Jewish heritage, according to The Hindu.

The building was initially constructed as a Portuguese mansion. In 1905, it was bought and renovated by Samuel S. Koder, who belonged to a prominent Jewish family of Kochi and served as the Honorary Consul to the Netherlands. The property remained with the Koder family until the third generation sold it, The Hindu reported.

As a luxury boutique hotel, Koder House was known for its spacious sea-view rooms, wooden floors, and carved wooden furniture, contributing to its unique historical appeal.

Investigation Underway

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. A preliminary assessment suggested that a short circuit could have triggered the blaze, according to The Hindu. The Mattancherry fire station officer noted that smoke continued to billow from the site even after the fire was extinguished, owing to the building's wooden floors and roofing.

A detailed inspection will be conducted to determine the precise cause and the full extent of the damage, The Hindu reported.