By Abasi Ita
A devastating fire outbreak has destroyed part of the popular Akim Timber Market in Calabar, Cross River State, with traders recording losses estimated at over N500 million.
The incident, which is the second major fire outbreak in the city within one week, occurred on Friday night at about 8:45 p.m., after business activities had ended and shops were left unattended. The market, a major hub for timber trading in the state capital, was quickly engulfed as flames spread across rows of stalls stocked with planks and other wood products.
Eyewitnesses said the fire consumed several shops before any intervention could be made. Many traders who had earlier closed for the day rushed back to the scene in a desperate attempt to salvage their goods, but most of the items had already been destroyed.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and there were no immediate reports of casualties as of the time of filing this report.
Residents and traders expressed frustration over the apparent absence of emergency response teams, noting that no fire service unit was seen at the scene while the fire raged. They described the situation as part of a growing pattern of delayed response to fire incidents in the city.
Similar concerns were raised last weekend following a gas explosion at a private filling station along Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South Local Government Area, where emergency services were also reported to have responded late.
Observers say the recurring fire incidents are worsened by the absence of a fully functional state fire service, leaving residents to resort to self help or rely on fire units operated by the University of Calabar, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the airport, and the Federal Fire Service.
A few months ago, officials of the Federal Fire Service were reportedly attacked and their truck vandalized by frustrated residents over delayed response to a fire incident that gutted shops around the Goldie by Bassey Duke axis of Calabar.
Concerns have also been raised over the lack of operational fire trucks in the state and the impact of mass retirements within the fire service department.
As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been issued. Authorities, including the police and the State Emergency Management Agency, are yet to release a statement on the incident.