Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed after a fire gutted a residential building along Iso Oqua Street in Cross River State, leaving occupants and residents in shock and distress.
The inferno, which reportedly started at about 6:27 am, on Monday affected a property located within Calabar Metropolis, a densely populated area close to key public and security installations, including the Cross River State Pensioners’ Office, Nigerian Navy Akim Barracks, and the Akim Division of the Nigerian Police Force.
Eyewitnesses said residents made efforts to contain the blaze before it spread to adjoining buildings, using buckets of water and other available means while awaiting the arrival of emergency responders.
Speaking to our correspondent a resident who preferred not to be mentioned said “We don’t really know what caused the outbreak, but I just heard people shouting”.
The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, although occupants were seen lamenting the extent of damage caused by the incident.
When contacted the Cross River State fire service did not respond to calls or text sent by our Correspondent..