CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE – A midnight fire has razed the popular timber market in Calabar, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira.
The fire, which started in the early hours of Saturday, engulfed several sections of the market, including workshops and storage sheds containing processed timber and woodworking equipment. Firefighters from the Cross River State Fire Service battled for hours to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though officials have not ruled out an electrical fault. No casualties were reported.
Traders at the market, who gathered at the scene to count their losses, described the incident as devastating. Many said they had lost their entire livelihoods.
“I have lost everything. Years of hard work gone in a night,” one trader lamented.
The Cross River State Government has pledged to investigate the cause of the fire and provide support to affected traders. Market leaders have called for improved fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers and regular inspections.
An assessment of the damage is currently underway.
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