Calabar's SPAR Mall Gutted by Raging Inferno

A massive blaze tore through the popular SPAR Mall located in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Saturday morning. Eyewitness accounts captured in numerous videos circulating across various social media platforms depict a scene of thick black smoke and intense flames engulfing the commercial complex.

The viral footage showed distressed shop owners and panicked onlookers gathered helplessly outside the burning structure as the fire rapidly spread. "It’s moving from shop to shop," one witness was heard saying in a clip, highlighting the rapid escalation of the incident. Many expressed deep frustration over what they perceived as a delayed emergency response, watching as merchandise valued at millions of naira was consumed by the fire.

"No fire service in Calabar," another witness lamented in a video recorded from the scene. The profound sense of loss was palpable, with a woman audibly weeping in the background of another video, stating, "What a day. See what is happening to millions of naira at SPAR shopping mall. No water to quench it, no fire service to rescue. Look at our shops and millions of naira."

Subsequent video evidence, however, confirmed the eventual arrival of a fire truck and police personnel. These teams worked to restore order, manage the gathered crowds, and combat the inferno. As of the time of this report, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Neither the Cross River State Government nor local emergency management authorities have released an official statement regarding potential casualties, the structural integrity of the building, or the total financial losses incurred.