Calabar Traders Face Ruin After Midnight Inferno Destroys Shops
Traders operating at Ika Ika along Mbukpa Street in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State are pleading for urgent assistance following a catastrophic fire outbreak that consumed several shops. The blaze, which erupted late on Thursday night, resulted in the destruction of goods valued at millions of naira, leaving numerous business owners in a state of despair and financial ruin.
Incident Details and Immediate Impact
The fire is reported to have originated from the upper section of the affected building before rapidly spreading downward. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded in the incident. However, shop proprietors have expressed profound distress, noting that the inferno has completely obliterated their primary sources of income and means of livelihood.
Among the affected traders are Ada Oke and Elizabeth Prince, who shared their harrowing experiences with our correspondent. They explained that they had securely closed their shops around 11:00 p.m. and returned to their homes prior to the fire breaking out. "We closed our shops around 11 p.m. and went home. Early this morning, I received a call that my shop was on fire. By the time I arrived, everything had already been burnt," they recounted.
Extent of Losses and Financial Burden
The fire caused extensive damage, destroying critical items such as:
- Two deep freezers
- Multiple bags of rice, beans, and grains
- Dairy products and various provisions
- Books and other stocked merchandise
These goods, which were acquired in December at an estimated cost of approximately ₦1.5 million, were funded through personal contributions and savings. The traders lamented that even the container holding their cash was incinerated along with the money inside. "Everything in my shop is gone. I had not removed even a pin from the goods," they added sorrowfully.
Overall, the total losses, including the shop structures and essential equipment, are estimated to exceed ₦4 million. The traders emphasized that they remain unaware of the fire's origin, compounding their frustration and sense of helplessness.
Community Response and Containment Efforts
An eyewitness account provided to The Guardian indicates that the fire was detected shortly after midnight, following urgent distress calls from local residents. This prompted immediate and frantic efforts to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings.
"We fetched water with buckets and used detergent and sand. Everybody came out to help because we didn't know what else to do," the eyewitness stated. Through collective action, residents managed to bring the fire under control before it could inflict further damage on other structures in the vicinity.
Appeals for Assistance and Official Response
The affected traders have issued heartfelt appeals for support from the Cross River State Government, emergency response agencies, insurance organizations, and compassionate Nigerians. "I am begging for help from the Government House and any agency or organisation that can assist me to rebuild my shop. January is already very difficult," one trader pleaded, highlighting the timing's economic challenges.
As of the reporting deadline, the precise cause of the fire remains undetermined officially. Attempts to contact officials from the Cross River State Fire and Rescue Service were unsuccessful, with the agency's Director, Dennis Ajom, not responding to repeated phone inquiries.
