Calabar Mall Goes Up In Flames, Traders Count Heavy Losses
By ARIT OTONG UBOK
Fire Ravages Sections of Calabar Mall, Destroys Shops and Goods
A fire outbreak has destroyed parts of SPAR Mall in Calabar, Cross River State, leaving traders and workers counting their losses.
The fire started in the early hours of Saturday. Thick smoke and flames reportedly spread through sections of the shopping complex, triggering panic among workers, traders and nearby residents.
Several businesses were affected, including a pharmacy, clothing outlet, perfumery and phone shop. As the flames spread, traders and workers rushed to rescue merchandise and other valuables.
Some shop owners reportedly broke down in tears after seeing their businesses engulfed by the fire. The financial value of the destroyed goods and property remains unclear, although initial concerns suggest that the losses could run into billions of naira.
Officials Inspect Damage
Security personnel moved into the area to control the crowd and protect the premises. Residents and passersby also gathered around the mall as emergency officials assessed the situation.
Government representatives visited the scene to evaluate the damage and coordinate the response.
Among them was the Cross River State Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Raymond Anunobi. The Governor’s Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, also joined the inspection.
The officials toured the affected sections and engaged stakeholders as authorities worked to establish the extent of the destruction.
Cause Yet to Be Established
Authorities have not determined the immediate cause of the fire.
An investigation is expected to establish how the outbreak started and whether any factors contributed to its spread.
For the affected traders, however, the immediate priority remains the recovery of whatever can be salvaged and an accurate assessment of their losses.
The Calabar incident also adds to a growing series of market and commercial fires recorded across Nigeria.
In July, a midnight fire destroyed 17 containerised shops at Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The blaze affected a row of about 30 lock-up shops and destroyed goods and property.
Earlier in February, separate fires also destroyed shops and merchandise at Nwafor Plaza and Igiligi Lane in Awka, Anambra State. No deaths were recorded in those incidents, but traders suffered significant financial losses.
The latest outbreak in Calabar has once again raised concerns about fire prevention, emergency preparedness and the protection of commercial investments in major Nigerian markets and shopping centres.
