Fire rages Calabar mall

A major fire engulfed the popular SPAR Mall in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, on Saturday morning. Thick black smoke and intense flames were visible billowing from the facility, as depicted in multiple eyewitness videos circulating on social media.

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It’s moving from shop to shop.

Panicked onlookers and distressed shop owners gathered outside the burning complex. Videos captured the blaze spreading rapidly from shop to shop. Shop owners expressed deep frustration and helplessness as they watched goods worth millions of naira being destroyed by the fire.

Several witnesses criticized the emergency response, with one lamenting the absence of fire services in Calabar. "No fire service in Calabar," another witness stated in a video recorded at the scene. A weeping woman in another clip highlighted the financial losses, saying, "See what is happening to millions of naira at SPAR shopping mall. No water to quench it, no fire service to rescue."

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No fire service in Calabar.

Later footage showed a fire truck and police personnel arriving to manage the situation, control the crowd, and combat the inferno. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. As of the time of reporting, neither the Cross River State Government nor local emergency management authorities had released official statements regarding casualties, structural integrity, or the total financial losses incurred.

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What a day. See what is happening to millions of naira at SPAR shopping mall. No water to quench it, no fire service to rescue. Look at our shops and millions of naira.