KOCHI: A major fire broke out at Grand Malabar Hotel near Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery on Monday, damaging the front section of the establishment before firefighters brought the blaze under control. No casualties or injuries were reported.

The fire erupted around noon at the hotel in Athani, along the National Highway, and is believed to have started in the cafeteria and tea stall area located at the front of the building.

Flames spread rapidly across the front counters, damaging refrigerators, billing stations, bakery products and parts of the exterior roofing. Witnesses also reported hearing loud explosion-like sounds as the blaze intensified. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be established.

Hotel staff immediately evacuated customers and employees from the premises.

“Suddenly, fire came from that tea stall area. We evacuated everyone within five minutes. Nobody was left inside,” a hotel staff member told media at the scene.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Nedumbassery responded to the emergency, with two fire tenders initially deployed to tackle the blaze. A third unit later joined the operation.

Firefighters attacked the flames from both sides of the building and brought the situation under control before the fire could spread to the main indoor dining area.

According to Nedumbassery police, the intervention also prevented the blaze from posing a greater risk to commercial gas cylinders stored inside the hotel kitchen.

The front counter, cafeteria section and exterior roofing were extensively damaged, while the main structure and indoor dining area were largely protected from the fire.

Police said the cause of the blaze remained unclear and a detailed inspection would be required to determine how it started.