A late-night fire has destroyed a major timber market in Calabar, wiping out goods valued at over N500 million and leaving many traders in distress.
Victoria Omini.
The extent of human casualties remains unclear.
The fire, which erupted on Friday night after traders had closed for the day, spread rapidly through the market, consuming timber and other goods while destroying more than 100 shops.
Traders who rushed back to the scene in a bid to save their belongings were met with devastation, as the inferno had already reduced most of the structures to rubble.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began when the market was largely empty, allowing it to escalate quickly without immediate intervention.
The market is a key center for timber and related businesses in Cross River State, making the destruction a severe blow to livelihoods.
As of the time of reporting, the cause of the fire had not been determined.
There were also no reports of fire service response while the blaze was ongoing, raising concerns about emergency response systems in the city.
Recent incidents in Calabar have similarly seen fires burn unchecked, often leading to extensive damage.
Just last weekend, emergency responders were reportedly absent during a significant gas explosion at a private filling station on Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South.
Despite the presence of multiple fire service units in Calabar, including state, federal, airport, and Nigerian Ports Authority teams, witnesses said most of the timber market had already been destroyed before any help arrived.
Several traders, who had returned home after the day’s work, were seen hurrying back in desperation, hoping to recover whatever they could.
At the time of filing this report, authorities such as the police, the State Emergency Management Agency, and fire services had yet to release any official statements.
This is a developing story.
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