Electrical inquiry points to adjacent building in Koder House fire

A preliminary investigation has indicated that the fire which gutted Kochi’s Koder House may have begun in an adjacent heritage building, rather than in the hotel itself. The Electrical Inspectorate reached the preliminary conclusion after CCTV footage and mobile-phone videos showed flames spreading from the terrace of the neighbouring property to Koder House. The 1808 heritage building had been converted into a luxury boutique hotel.

Officials suspect that a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit may have ignited combustible material, including tarpaulins, stored on the adjacent terrace. They said the exact cause could be established only after a detailed scientific examination. The Electrical Inspectorate plans to determine whether the air-conditioning unit on the side where the fire began was operating at the time.

Staff members of both hotels are expected to give statements on Monday, October 5, and electrical components recovered from the building will undergo scientific testing. Santhosh K.T., deputy electrical inspector for Ernakulam district, said officials inspected the site the day after the September 29 fire. He said the final report would be submitted to the government and the police investigating the incident.

Earlier accounts had suggested that the fire started on Koder House’s third floor before spreading to the adjacent building, which suffered minor damage. The latest findings have therefore provided a different preliminary indication of where the blaze may have originated. Fort Kochi police said the owner of Koder House had estimated losses at ₹4 crore.

Sub-Inspector Ajmal Hussain said officers were recording statements from people present during the fire and awaiting the Electrical Inspectorate’s findings and the forensic report. Police have registered a case under the Police Standing Order following a complaint by the hotel owner’s son. No final cause has been established.