Millions Lost as Raging Inferno Guts SPAR, Iconic Calabar Mall

In what has been described as a catastrophic blow to the retail hub of Cross River State, a violent fire outbreak on Wednesday evening severely gutted the iconic Calabar Mall, destroying properties and inventories valued at hundreds of millions of naira. The incident, which reportedly started in the section housing the multinational retail giant, SPAR, quickly escalated into an uncontrollable blaze, sending panic-stricken shoppers and staff scrambling for safety amid thick, suffocating plumes of black smoke.

According to eyewitness accounts gathered at the scene, the fire began quietly before transforming into an all-consuming furnace that swept through the interior structures of the shopping complex. Employees and early onlookers made frantic, desperate attempts to salvage high-value electronics, household appliances, and luxury goods, but their efforts were largely thwarted by the rapid spread of the fire and the choking heat that enveloped the premises.

Compounding the tragedy was the widely lamented, agonizing delay in the emergency response. Heartbroken witnesses who watched the destruction unfold criticized the state fire service, alleging that calls were placed immediately when the first signs of smoke appeared, yet first responders arrived only after the flames had gained complete structural dominance over the building. "We watched our livelihoods burn to the ground while waiting for trucks that arrived with insufficient water," one devastated vendor remarked.