Metro
Fire razes over 100 shops in Calabar market
Goods worth millions of Naira were on Friday night destroyed by fire which gutted over 100 shops in the popular Marian market in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
It was gathered that the fire, which started from one of the shops in the fruit section, spread to other shops.
An eye witness, Ojah Ojah, said the fire outbreak started around 8 pm on Friday.
He said,
“The fire started from one of the shops when electricity was supplied to the area. We saw a spark from one of the shops and before we realise, the fire had extended to other shops.
“We called on the Fire Service but they could not respond on time. It took the intervention of the Nigerian Navy fire truck to help in containing the fire.”
One of the victims, Eme Bassey, 54, said her watermelon worth N300,000 including her shop were all destroyed in the inferno.
Bassey said,
“Three days ago, I received a supply of watermelon worth over N500,000 from my distributor in Makurdi. I usually sell and make payment to him, but this fire outbreak has rendered me hopeless for now.
“I don’t even know where to start because my shop was burnt to ashes. This is too painful for me to bear under this harsh Covid-19 period.”
Director-General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Princewill Ayim, who went for an on-the-spot assessment, sympathised with the affected traders.
“We are here to assess the extent of damage and to also document the affected traders with a view to ameliorating their situation, especially at this period of Covid-19 pandemic.
“The state government is very responsive to cases of emergencies like this, I can assure you that something will be done to assist the victims,” he said
NAN
-
Crime16 hours ago
UPDATED: One killed, others injured in US beach shooting
-
News18 hours ago
Data protection commission probe into NIMC privacy breach
-
Metro16 hours ago
FG promises to end estimated meter billings
-
Education19 hours ago
SSANU, NASU begins seven-day nationwide strike today
-
News16 hours ago
Japa: Nigerian woman opens up on slavery, abuse in UK
-
Metro13 hours ago
Australian man falls to death from hot-air balloon
-
News18 hours ago
Putin re-elected fifth term in controversial Russian election
-
Metro13 hours ago
Fire razes Sokoto market,motorcycles burnt