A fire outbreak has swept through parts of the popular SPAR Shopping Mall in Calabar, Cross River State. As a result, business owners and residents scrambled as flames spread across sections of the complex on Saturday morning.
Videos circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising from the shopping centre, as flames appeared to move through shops. Meanwhile, distressed traders and onlookers gathered outside the facility.
Fire spreads from shop to shop
Footage from the scene captured the growing concern among witnesses as the blaze continued to spread within the mall.
“It’s moving from shop to shop,” one witness was heard saying in one of the videos.
Another person at the scene raised concerns about the apparent absence of emergency responders. At the same time, efforts were made to contain the fire.
“No fire service in Calabar,” the witness said.
The claim about the emergency response could not immediately be independently verified.
Shop owners lament losses
One visibly distressed woman was heard lamenting the potential destruction of goods worth millions of naira as the flames continued.
“What a day. See what is happening to millions of naira at SPAR shopping mall,” she said.
She added, “No water to quench it, no fire service to rescue. Look at our shops and millions of naira.”
The videos showed business owners watching anxiously as smoke engulfed portions of the shopping complex.
Cause of fire remains unknown
The cause of the fire had yet to be established at the time of filing this report.
There was also no confirmed information on casualties, the extent of structural damage or the total value of goods and property destroyed.
Authorities in Cross River State and relevant emergency agencies had also yet to issue an official statement explaining how the fire started. Moreover, they had not provided details of the response operation.
The incident is expected to raise fresh concerns among traders over fire safety and emergency preparedness at major commercial centres in Calabar. In addition, attention turns to the scale of the damage left by the blaze.
