Fire destroys 4 shops, residential apartment in Calabar

A devastating fire outbreak has engulfed four shops and a residential apartment on William George Street, off Edgerly Road in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State.

Although no lives were lost, property worth millions of naira was destroyed. Residents worked tirelessly to contain the blaze before it could spread further.

This incident adds to the alarming number of fire outbreaks in the area. Reports indicate that between July 2024 and January 2025, Calabar South has recorded 49 fire incidents, largely attributed to the densely populated nature of the area and the proliferation of makeshift structures.

During an assessment of the damage, Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Special Duties, expressed concern over the frequency of fire incidents in the local government. He emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting the victims, stating that data is being gathered to provide necessary assistance.

READ ALSO: Man reportedly kills mother for rituals, dumps body in well after hair shaving

“It is another wake-up call on the part of the authorities to step up publicity on precautionary measures to prevent future recurrence.

“We have discovered that many people built without specification which is against the master plan of the state over the years.

“Even the state Fire Service has been in a state of comatose with dilapidated facilities and operational vehicles,“ he said.

According to him, the governor was trying to renovate the premises of the fire service as well as its operational vehicles, while also collaborating with other agencies for effective service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Antigha Gil, explained that the incident was unfortunate, promising to carry out an assessment of the damage and transmit it to the state government.

He also warned residents of the state to endeavour to put off their appliances when they were going out, noting that erratic power supply could cause a spark at any point.