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Massive Loss: Late-night fire destroys timber market in Calabar, with over ₦500 million worth of goods lost.
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No Emergency Response: Fire service reportedly failed to respond as blaze consumed hundreds of shops.
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Rising Concerns: Incident adds to growing cases of unattended fire outbreaks in Cross River State.
A late-night fire has gutted a major timber market in Calabar, destroying goods valued at over ₦500 million.
The market, a key hub for timber and related businesses in the state capital, was reportedly engulfed in flames on Friday evening after traders had closed for the day.
Eyewitnesses said the fire rapidly spread across the market, razing hundreds of shops and consuming large quantities of planks and other timber products. Traders who had earlier left for their homes rushed back upon hearing the news in a desperate attempt to salvage their goods.
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As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire remains unknown, while no official response has been issued by relevant authorities.
Notably, no fire service unit was said to have responded to the emergency, raising fresh concerns over the recurring failure of firefighting agencies in the state.
Recent incidents, including a gas explosion along Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South, reportedly witnessed similar lack of response from emergency services, leaving properties completely destroyed.
Despite the presence of state, federal, airport, and Nigerian Ports Authority fire services in the area, none had intervened at the time of this report.
Authorities, including the police and emergency management agencies, are yet to release official statements on the incident.
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