KODER HOUSE at Fort Kochi, one of last remaining landmarks of erstwhile Jewish community in Keralam, gutted in major fire Tuesday night. Portuguese mansion dating back to 1800s had been functioning as heritage hotel.
Fire and rescue officials said cause still ascertained. Fire began on top floor of three-storey and soon engulfed rest. No casualties as guests and staff evacuated.
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Shaju Philip reports red-brick mansion given facelift by Samuel S Koder, prominent member of Cochin's Jewish community who bought building and renovated it in 1905. Koder died in 1994, ran Cochin Electric Company eventually sold to government. He also began first ferry service Fort Kochi to Ernakulam.
Koders emigrated to Cochin from Iraq few centuries ago. Koder also served as Honorary Consul of Netherlands and associated with establishing Cochin wing of Freemasons. Reconstruction transformed Portuguese mansion into distinctive Indo-European architecture blending European colonial influences with local features.
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With just 26 Cochin Jews left in Kerala, mostly Ernakulam, heritage loss cultural. Kerala had 8 synagogues now 2 functional. ASI listed it but not protected. Loss shows need for fire safety audit of heritage hotels in Fort Kochi.
Tags: #KoderHouse #FortKochi #JewishCommunity #KeralaHeritage #FireAccident #CochinJews #SamuelKoder #HeritageHotel #Kochi #History