 All the south wall warehouses, or godowns, had been erected outside the fort, which precluded any flanking fire from the two south bastions.The East India Company's chief engineer, John O'Hara, advised the council to demolish the buildings surrounding the fort so the defenders could have a clear shot at an enemy attacking from any direction.The council member and chief military officer-owned houses would have to be leveled, so the council ignored O'Hara's suggestion.