The Koder House fire in Kerala’s Fort Kochi raises questions about the safety of heritage buildings
A devastating fire that destroyed large parts of Koder House, a building dating back to 1808 in Fort Kochi, has raised concerns about the safety of numerous heritage buildings in the coastal city.
The incident revealed an alleged failure of the fire fighting mechanism in the busy tourist hub, prompting the fire and rescue services to initiate measures to strengthen security infrastructure in the area.
A view of Koder House, a prominent cultural monument in Fort Kochi, after it was destroyed by fire on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) night. Built as a Portuguese residence, the building was purchased and renovated by Samuel S. Koder, a member of Kochi’s prominent Jewish community and Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, in 1905. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Although the three-story building was equipped with fire extinguishers, fire and rescue officials said they were insufficient to stop the flames, which were being fueled by strong onshore winds. “The building does not require a clean-up certificate from the fire department as it covers an area of less than 1,000 square meters. However, the incident highlighted the need to install early warning systems such as smoke detectors and first aid equipment for firefighters including hose reels, even in small properties,” said a fire officer involved in the investigation.
Koder House, a prominent cultural monument in Fort Kochi, after it was gutted by fire on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) night. Built as a Portuguese residence, the building was purchased and renovated by Samuel S. Koder, a member of Kochi’s prominent Jewish community and Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, in 1905. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Meanwhile, Ernakulam District Fire Officer Joji AS said the department would submit a proposal to the District Collector highlighting the need to install special firefighting equipment, including water hydrants at strategic locations to prevent such incidents in future. “The proposal will highlight the heritage value of the properties and the potential impact of these security issues on tourism,” he said.
A view of Koder House, a prominent cultural monument in Fort Kochi, after it was destroyed by fire on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) night. Built as a Portuguese residence, the building was purchased and renovated by Samuel S. Koder, a member of Kochi’s prominent Jewish community and Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, in 1905. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Firefighters involved in the rescue operation on Tuesday reported traffic congestion and narrow roads that made it difficult for firefighters from other parts of the district to access the site. “The situation is the same in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry regions. It highlights the need to strengthen internal fire fighting and early response systems, especially in heritage buildings,” the official said.
Operators of similar properties in the area said the fire prompted them to reevaluate the safety aspects of their properties. “Fire extinguishers from nearby hotels and shops were used to put out the flames at Koder House and we refilled them without any problems. Our architect also visited our property and checked whether the fire posed any threat to it. We were advised to remain closed until the Koder House fire was fully under control,” said the manager of a nearby hotel.
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Firefighters were deployed to the Koder House area due to the possibility of re-ignition of the heavy wooden materials that caught fire.
Koder House, a prominent cultural monument in Fort Kochi, after it was gutted by fire on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) night. Built as a Portuguese residence, the building was purchased and renovated by Samuel S. Koder, a member of Kochi’s prominent Jewish community and Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, in 1905. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
KJ Sohan, a former mayor of Kochi and a prominent heritage conservationist, said the fire at Kodor’s house should be a wake-up call for the region and authorities should address security gaps. “We were lucky because the firemen could get into the building from the road from the front and the back. The situation could have been worse if something had happened in a crowded and busy place like the Jewish Town,” he said.
He added that although there is no shortage of water in the area, firefighters had difficulty accessing it on Tuesday. “The mayor should convene a meeting of all stakeholders and discuss a strategy to ensure fire safety infrastructure around the heritage sites of Fort Kochi,” he said.
Fort Kochi Divisional Councilor Shiny Mathew said that steps need to be taken to ensure availability of water for fire fighting in the premises of heritage buildings. She also demanded that the vehicle be made available at the Fire and Rescue Training Facility in Fort Kochi. She said the mayor promised to call a meeting of the stakeholders to discuss the matter immediately.
Former MLA Dominic Presentation, who visited Koder House on Tuesday, called for coordinated action by the Center and the state to protect Fort Kochi’s heritage buildings, including those in private ownership.
Published – 01 Oct 2026 06:30 IST