Metro

Millions in property lost as fire destroys shops and residence in Calabar

A devastating fire broke out on William George Street, off Edgerly, in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River state, destroying four shops and a residential apartment.

Although there were no fatalities, the owners of the shops suffered significant losses, with property worth millions of naira going up in flames. Local residents tried to contain the fire, but it caused substantial damage.

Between July 2024 and January 2025, Calabar South LGA has experienced 49 fire incidents, a trend linked to the overcrowded nature of the area and the growing number of shanties.

Ekpenyong Akiba, the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Special Duties, visited the scene to assess the damage. He expressed concern over the increasing number of fire incidents in the area, calling for stronger measures to prevent future disasters.

“It is another wake-up call on the part of the authorities to step up publicity on precautionary measures to prevent future recurrence,” Akiba said. He also noted that many buildings in the area were constructed without proper specifications, violating the state’s master plan.

He added that the state’s Fire Service was facing challenges with outdated facilities and operational vehicles. Efforts are being made to renovate the fire service premises and improve equipment to ensure better service delivery.

Meanwhile, Antigha Gil, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), described the fire as unfortunate. He promised to assess the damage and submit a report to the state government. He also urged residents to be cautious, advising them to turn off electrical appliances when leaving their homes, as erratic power supply could potentially trigger fires.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button