Koder House fire may have originated in adjacent building, says Electrical Inspectorate

CCTV footage and mobile phone videos showing fire spreading from the terrace of an adjacent building to Koder House, which was gutted last week, have emerged, providing clues to the cause of the blaze.

According to preliminary findings of the Electrical Inspectorate (EI), the fire that gutted Koder House, an 1808 heritage building in Fort Kochi converted into a luxury boutique hotel, is suspected to have originated in an adjacent heritage property. It may have been caused by a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit before spreading to combustible materials stored on the terrace, including tarpaulins. However, the exact cause can be ascertained only after a detailed scientific examination, according to EI officials.

The EI will investigate whether the AC unit on the side where the fire originated was functioning at the time of the incident. Officials plan to record statements from the staff of both hotels on Monday (October 5). Electrical components collected from the building will also be subjected to scientific examination.

Earlier, it was reported that the fire originated on the third floor of Koder House and spread to the adjacent building, causing minor damage there.

Santhosh K.T., deputy electrical inspector, Ernakulam district, said a site inspection was conducted the day after the incident. “Once we finalise our report, it will be submitted to the government as well as the police investigating the incident,” he said.

According to the Fort Kochi police, the owner of Koder House has claimed losses amounting to ₹4 crore. Sub-Inspector Ajmal Hussain, who is probing the incident, said the police were recording statements from people who were present at the site during the fire. “We are also awaiting the results from the EI and forensic wing,” he said.

The police have registered a case under the Police Standing Order based on a complaint filed by the hotel owner’s son.