Major fire breaks out at iconic Koder House in Kochi; details of damage awaited

A major fire broke out at the iconic Koder House in Fort Kochi on Tuesday evening, with fire and rescue services rushing to the spot to bring the blaze under control.

The famous three-storey, brick-red building on Tower Road is currently being converted into a heritage hotel. Smoke was initially seen rising from the upper portion of the building, following which the fire reportedly spread to other parts within minutes.

Fire and rescue service units reached the location soon after the incident was reported and began efforts to douse the flames. Police, fire personnel and local residents were involved in the efforts to contain the blaze.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, according to preliminary information. However, details regarding the cause of the fire and the extent of damage were not immediately confirmed.

Further details are awaited as fire and rescue personnel continue efforts to control the blaze.

Visuals showing flames engulfing the roof emerged on social media as fire and rescue teams worked at the site.

The building is one of Fort Kochi's best-known historic landmarks.

Originally built as a Portuguese mansion in the 1800s, historical records also point to its establishment in 1808 by Samuel S. Koder. In 1905, Koder bought and renovated the property to give the bungalow its present grand layout. Koder belonged to an illustrious Jewish family in Cochin, ran the Cochin Electric Company, served as the Honorary Consul to the Netherlands, and founded the local wing of the Free Masons.

Colonial design and grand interior features

The property remained within the Koder family for decades before a grandchild from the third generation sold it. Over the years, many prominent figures visited the house, including prime ministers, presidents, ambassadors, high-ranking government officials, and business leaders. Architecturally, the residence represents a supreme transition from colonial styling to refined Indo-European design.

It features spacious rooms with windows opening directly towards the sea, opulent wooden floors, and carved timber furniture. Verandah seats welcome visitors at the entrance, while the floor tiles are set in a distinctive chessboard pattern. The high glass-paned windows are reportedly believed to have been imported directly from Belgium.

Teak staircases and historic suspended walkway

Inside, wide teak staircases and large open spaces across all three storeys add to the building's splendour. Historical photographs documenting the mansion's past remain on display on the ground floor. Top floors reportedly featured attached wooden balconies in earlier times, though these structures are no longer present.

One of the mansion's most famous peculiarities is a wooden hanging bridge with iron railings dating back to the 1920s. Suspended directly above Rose Street, the bridge offers a bird's-eye view to anyone standing on it. Historically, it connected the main residence with the first floor of a shop across the street that served as the Koder commercial office.