Fire Guts Part Of SPAR Shopping Complex In Calabar

Trading activities at the SPAR Shopping Complex in Calabar, Cross River State, came to a halt on Saturday following a fire outbreak that destroyed part of the shopping mall and sent traders, shoppers and other occupants scrambling for safety.

The blaze reportedly started shortly after an explosion suspected to have originated from a gas cylinder and quickly engulfed a section of the facility, sending thick clouds of smoke into the sky and disrupting business activities.

An eyewitness, Mr Lazarus Ukam, said the fire was preceded by what he described as a minor gas or fuel explosion.

Ukam said the blast ignited the fire, which later spread to other parts of the shopping mall before passersby and men of the state fire service intervened.

Part of the mall was seen in flames, while thick smoke billowed from the upper floors of the shopping complex.

Members of the public gathered around the premises as emergency responders battled to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to other sections of the facility.

The incident triggered panic within and around the complex, with attention focused on ensuring the safety of people trapped inside and preventing further damage.

As of the time of filing this report, the management of the shopping complex had not disclosed the extent of the damage or confirmed whether there were casualties.

Efforts to reach the Director of the Cross River State Fire Service, Mrs Comfort Nsa, for comment were unsuccessful as her telephone line was not reachable. However, a staff member of the state fire service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that firefighters had put out the blaze.

Meanwhile, police officers were deployed to the premises to prevent suspected looters from gaining access to the mall.

The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Sunday Eitokpah, said police personnel had been on the ground since the fire started.

“Our men have been on ground since morning when the fire incident happened. We are battling to contain the miscreants and other looters trying to cart away valuable goods,” Eitokpah said.

The cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage remain unclear as of press time.