Tue Dec 30 06:21:58 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
A major fire erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Koluthara Bazaar in Kochi’s Broadway area. The fire completely destroyed a toy shop (“Happy Toys”) and partially damaged at least ten other shops. No casualties were reported, but the estimated losses are in the lakhs of rupees. Eleven fire units from ten fire stations extinguished the blaze. Investigations suggest the fire originated from a godown storing waste materials. Officials praised the timely alert that prevented a larger disaster, given workers were present stocking goods for the New Year rush. This incident follows a recent DDMA order to temporarily close twelve shops in Broadway’s Mather Bazaar for safety violations.
News Article:
Major Fire Guts Shops in Kochi’s Busy Broadway Area
Kochi, December 30, 2025 – A significant fire swept through the Koluthara Bazaar in Kochi’s bustling Broadway district early Tuesday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The blaze, which started around 1 am, completely consumed the “Happy Toys” shop and caused damage to at least ten other commercial establishments. While no casualties were reported, the financial losses are estimated to be substantial, reaching into lakhs of rupees.
Eleven units from ten different fire stations across Ernakulam district responded to the emergency, successfully extinguishing the fire after a two-hour operation. According to Assistant Station Officer T.S. Shanavas of the Club Road fire station, the fire is suspected to have originated in a godown-like facility where waste materials were stored.
“A major tragedy was averted thanks to the prompt notification,” Shanavas stated. He noted that workers were present to stock up on goods in anticipation of increased demand for the New Year holiday. Had the fire gone unnoticed for longer, the situation could have become uncontrollable, he warned.
District Collector G. Priyanka and Deputy Mayor Deepak Joy visited the site to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts.
The incident comes less than a week after the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ordered the temporary closure of twelve shops in Broadway’s Mather Bazaar for alleged safety violations. The DDMA directed the Kochi Corporation to keep these establishments closed until they secure safety certifications from the Fire and Rescue Services department and the Electrical Inspectorate. This latest fire raises further concerns about safety compliance in the crowded Broadway area.
First Piper 