By Frank Ulom
A devastating fire has destroyed several shops and businesses at SPAR Calabar Mall in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
The fire, which reportedly started at about 6:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 22, 2026, sent thick smoke across parts of Calabar and destroyed shops, goods and other property within the mall. A pharmacy, electronics store, clothing outlet, perfumery and phone shop were among the businesses affected.
However, no death was recorded. The incident resulted in substantial property losses, while some persons were reportedly affected by heavy smoke generated by the fire.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been preceded by an electrical fault, but the exact cause of the incident and the full extent of the losses remained subject to further investigation, according to the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr Efa Nyong.
Nyong expressed sympathy to the affected business owners and conveyed the solidarity of Governor Bassey Otu and the Cross River State Government.
He said the agency would document and enumerate the affected persons and their losses as a basis for determining the appropriate areas of intervention.
He also assured the victims that CR-SEMA would work with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and other relevant stakeholders to identify immediate needs and explore available avenues of support.
The CR-SEMA DG also commended the Cross River State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, University of Calabar (UNICAL (Fire Service and other first responders for their efforts in containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading further.
He urged members of the public to stay away from the affected facility and cautioned against looting or vandalism, stressing that security agencies and emergency responders needed unhindered access to carry out their duties.
Converseer reports that the agencies have commenced the documentation and assessment of losses arising from the devastating fire.
The joint assessment, conducted at the shopping mall following the early-morning inferno, is expected to provide government and humanitarian agencies with a clearer picture of the extent of destruction and the immediate needs of affected businesses and individuals.
Converseer further reports that this is the second time the mall is recording such a disaster.
