A restaurant along the national highway near the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery in Ernakulam, Kerala, was gutted in a major fire on Monday (August 17, 2026) afternoon. However, no injuries were reported as the staff and customers were evacuated from the building soon after the fire broke out.

The front portion of Grand Malabar Hotelat Athani was destroyed in the fire. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze is believed to have originated from a tea stall located at the front façade of the restaurant. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Three units from the fire station at Nedumbassery rushed to the spot and doused the flames.

The incident caused a traffic congestion along the highway.

Chalakudy MP Benny Behanan, who happened to pass by the route when the firefighting was on, visited the spot and reviewed the situation.

The MP highlighted the need for a safety audit of the temporary constructions along the busy stretch.