Ensuring Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness for Urban Heritage Sites

A fire at Koder House, an 1808 heritage building in Fort Kochi, has exposed significant lapses in fire safety infrastructure and regulatory mechanisms for heritage properties. The incident highlighted issues such as inadequate fire extinguishers, the absence of mandatory no-objection certificates for smaller heritage buildings, urban planning challenges like narrow roads hindering emergency access, and the need for dedicated firefighting equipment and early warning systems. Stakeholders are calling for a coordinated approach from local, state, and central authorities to strengthen safety measures and protect the region's valuable heritage, which is crucial for tourism.