Panic gripped residents of Calabar on Saturday morning as fire engulfed the popular SPAR shopping outlet in the city centre.
The blaze broke out inside the emporium and quickly sent thick smoke billowing over the city, with flames visible from Barracks Road, about a hundred yards from the scene.
The cause of the fire had not been established as at the time of filing this report. However, the SPAR outlet houses several activities that could pose fire risks, including bread baking, cooking, and heavy electrical operations.
A journalist at the scene, Victoria, told Vanguard that about three fire service trucks had responded and were attempting to draw water from the outlet’s borehole to douse the flames.
“It is not known if anybody is trapped inside but there is confusion here at the car park,” she said, adding that firefighters at the scene declined to comment when questioned.
SPAR, an Indian-owned grocery outlet, is situated in the heart of Calabar, close to the popular Watt Market and the Hausa-Fulani residential area of Bogobiri. The outlet has operated in the city since 2012.
As of the time of this report, the full extent of damage caused by the fire remained unclear, and no casualties had been confirmed.
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