CCTV footage and mobile phone videos show the fire that gutted Koder House, an 1808 heritage building in Fort Kochi that had been converted into a luxury boutique hotel, spreading from the terrace of an adjacent heritage property. The footage, which emerged after the blaze, provides new clues to the cause of the blaze that destroyed the historic building last week.
Preliminary findings from the Electrical Inspectorate (EI) suggest the blaze may have started in the neighboring building. The inspectors suspect a short circuit in an air‑conditioning unit on that property, which could have ignited combustible materials stored on the terrace, such as tarpaulins. EI officials say the exact cause can only be confirmed after a detailed scientific examination of the site and recovered components.
The EI will investigate whether the AC unit on the side where the fire is believed to have originated was operating at the time of the incident. Officials plan to record statements from staff at both hotels on Monday, October 5, and will subject electrical components collected from the building to scientific analysis. Deputy electrical inspector Santhosh K.T. said a site inspection was carried out the day after the incident and that the final report will be submitted to both the government and the police.
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 are recording statements from witnesses present during the fire and are awaiting results from the EI and the forensic wing. A case has been registered under the Police Standing Order following a complaint filed by the hotel owner’s son.
