Fire Guts SPAR Shopping Outlet In Calabar

A fire has gutted the SPAR shopping outlet in Calabar, Cross River State, sending thick smoke across parts of the city on Saturday morning.

Videos and source photos from the scene showed flames inside the shopping complex as onlookers and shop owners gathered outside. The fire was reported at the outlet near Barracks Road, close to Watt Market and Bogobiri.

Punch reported that the blaze spread through parts of the complex while shop owners watched goods burn. Daily Post said firefighters had arrived and were trying to put out the flames. Vanguard reported from the scene that about three fire service trucks were present and responders were trying to pump water from the SPAR borehole.

The cause of the fire had not been confirmed at the time of the reports. There was also no official casualty statement from the Cross River State Government or local emergency authorities in the verified source bodies.

The incident drew a crowd around the shopping area as police and emergency responders moved in to control the scene and fight the fire. The extent of damage was still being assessed.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Daily Post