BOMBSHELL! ! See How Property Worth Millions Of Naira Was Burnt Down In Calabar; Reason Behind Insident Below [VIDEO]
On July 12, 2017, a devastating fire destroyed property valued at several millions of naira in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The inferno consumed ten rooms, along with furniture, electronics, cooking utensils, clothing, certificates, and an undisclosed sum of money, in under an hour.
The fire occurred at No. 4 Aya Ata Street in Ikot Eka Edem, Calabar Municipal Council. According to reports, the blaze began around 6 p. m. and rapidly engulfed the entire building within an hour, leaving behind a scene of total destruction.
Mrs. Fidelia Akpan Essien, a 50- year- old newspaper distributor and one of the victims, shared her harrowing experience with our correspondent on Wednesday. Mrs. Essien had gone to the Sanctified Mount Zion Church, located in the same compound, shortly before the fire started. She was accompanied by three of her children— two boys and a girl— while her eldest child stayed behind to bathe.
Upon returning from church, Mrs. Essien was confronted with the sight of frantic efforts to extinguish the fire. Despite their best attempts, the fire had already consumed everything in its path. Mrs. Essien recounted, ” The fire broke out in a very mysterious manner while I was at church. The entire house, which had over ten rooms, was completely destroyed. I had left for church around 6 p. m. with my children. When we returned, the fire had already ravaged everything. ”
The victim, who was left with only the clothes she was wearing— a coffee- colored polo and black skirt— has lost all her belongings, including furniture, electronics, clothing, cooking utensils, and important documents. She expressed her confusion over the cause of the fire, noting that the Cross River State Fire Service was called but faced challenges due to a lack of water. By the time the firefighters arrived, the fire had already caused extensive damage.
” There were ten rooms in the compound, and the church was nearby. When I left for church, there was no electricity, but when I returned, the power was back. I cannot say for certain if the fire was caused by an electrical surge, but the whole incident remains a mystery to me, ” Mrs. Essien said.
In the aftermath, Mrs. Essien has called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist her and urged the state government and relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the fire. She emphasized the need for an inquiry to identify any potential negligence or wrongdoing and to provide support for those affected by the disaster.
The blaze highlights the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and emergency response capabilities in the region. The community remains shaken by the event, and efforts are underway to support the victims and prevent similar incidents in the future.
