How fire guts 13 shops in Calabar South
“I have lost everything. My shop was filled with goods worth millions of Naira, and now it’s all gone. I don’t know how I will recover from this”
Those were the words of Mr Agu, a shop owner affected by the fire incidence narrating his ordeal
Mr. Agu’s story is just one of many heartbreaking tales from the victims of the fire incident. The 13 affected shops were filled with various goods, including shoes, sportswear, clothing, and many utensil items. These small business owners had invested their hard-earned money and time into building their businesses, only to see it all go up in flames.
The fire incident occurred on Thursday at about midnight at the shops located at the heart of Calabar’s capital city along Eyo Edem/Hewett Street, Calabar South, Local Government Area. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Meanwhile, currently, investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. However, it is believed that an electrical fault might have been responsible for the inferno. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and safety precautions, especially when it comes to electrical installations.
The response to the fire was swift, with the State Fire Service arriving at the scene shortly after being alerted. However, their efforts were not enough to save the shops and their contents. The lack of adequate firefighting equipment and resources is a recurring issue in many parts of Nigeria, and it is high time that the government addresses this problem as goods and properties worth N80 million have been completely consumed by this single inferno.
The impact of this fire goes beyond the loss of goods and property. These small businesses were not only a source of income for the owners but also provided employment opportunities for others in the community. With the destruction of these shops, many people have been left without a means of livelihood.
The government and relevant authorities must step in to provide support and succor to the affected citizens and other dwellers.
It was a normal day for Mr. Sony Agu, a shop owner in Calabar, as he embarked on his routine trip to Aba to purchase wares for his business. Little did he know that this trip would lead to an unthinkable calamity that would leave him devastated.
Mr. Agu, like many other traders, often had to endure the deplorable state of the road network between Calabar and Aba. The journey that should have taken him a single day ended up being even longer due to the poor conditions of the roads. Despite the challenges, he persevered and finally made it back to Calabar on Thursday night, exhausted from the journey.
Upon his return, Mr. Agu went straight to his abode and fell into a deep sleep, completely unaware of the tragedy that was about to unfold. It was during this time that a call came in, but he was unable to answer it. Instead, his boy picked up the call and delivered the devastating news – a fire had engulfed the entire line of shops where Mr. Agu’s store was located.
Rushing to the scene, Mr. Agu was met with a heart-wrenching sight. The fire had ravaged not only his shop but also nine other shops in the vicinity. The destruction was immense, leaving only ashes and ruins in its wake. Three shops were particularly badly affected, leaving their owners in a state of shock and despair.
For Mr. Agu, this calamity was beyond anything he could have imagined.
On a fateful day, tragedy struck a bustling market in the heart of our city. The flames engulfed the shops, reducing years of hard work and dreams to ashes. The cause of this devastating inferno? An electric spark. As the smoke cleared, the survivors were left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, pleading for the government to come to their aid.
One such survivor, Mercy Appalous, shared her heart-wrenching story. She had recently returned from a trip, bringing with her 6-Bell of second-hand clothes worth N280,000 each. Additionally, the remaining stock in her shop was valued at a staggering N5 million. All of it was now reduced to nothing but charred remains.
“I carried nothing out from the shop,” Mercy lamented. “This is the worst moment I have ever gone through in my entire life. This is the worst trauma I have experienced. Where will I go from here? I am appealing to the government for assistance.”
Mercy’s plea echoes the sentiments of countless others who have lost everything in this tragic incident. The government must step in and provide the necessary support to help these individuals rebuild their lives. It is not just a matter of financial aid, but also of emotional and psychological support.
The victims of this fire have not only lost their livelihoods but also their sense of security and stability. They now face an uncertain future, unsure of how they will provide for themselves and their families. It is the responsibility of to provide essential services to the people.
Tragedy Strikes: Widowed Woman Left Devastated and Desperate for Help
In a heart-wrenching incident that has left a community in shock, a widowed woman named Madam Susana has lost everything she had worked hard for. Dealing with items such as shoe-making sewing materials, keys, and shoe polish, she now finds herself in a dire situation, unsure of where to turn for help.
As a poor widow, Madam Susana’s livelihood has been destroyed. With tears streaming down her face, she pleads for assistance, asking, “Where will I get food to put on my table?” It is a cry for help that echoes the desperation felt by many others affected by this devastating inferno.
Also among the victims were Mr. Akpan, a skilled welder, and Mr. Ike Onwuka, a retailer of various clothing items. Both men have suffered significant losses, with their combined damages amounting to a staggering 10 million Naira.
Mr. Akpan, a hardworking welder who has been operating in the market for over a decade, lost four welding machines and other valuable tools in the inferno. These tools were not only essential for his livelihood but also represented a significant investment. The total worth of his losses is estimated to be around 4 million Naira. As a result, Mr. Akpan now finds himself in a precarious financial situation, unsure of how he will be able to recover from this devastating setback.
Similarly, Mr. Ike, a popular retailer known for his wide range of clothing items, was also severely affected by the fire. His shop, which housed an assortment of footwear, face caps, sportswear, shirts, and other clothing items, was destroyed. The estimated value of his losses is close to 6 million Naira. For Mr. Ike, this fire has not only destroyed his business but also shattered his dreams and aspirations.
In the wake of this tragedy, both Mr. Akpan and Mr. Ike have appealed to the government for assistance. They understand that rebuilding their businesses will be an extremely tough couple with the current reality of economic meltdown in the country.
The incident has left the community in a state of shock, with other affected individuals refusing to speak to the media. Undoubtedly, the trauma and devastation caused by this tragedy have rendered them speechless, unable to comprehend the magnitude of their losses.
It is in times like these that the true strength of a community is tested. The plight of Madam Susana and others affected by this incident calls for immediate action and support from both local authorities and compassionate individuals.
First and foremost, the local government must step in and provide immediate relief to those affected. This could include emergency relief materials, temporary shops, and financial assistance to help them get back on their feet. Additionally, counseling services should be made available to help individuals cope with the emotional trauma.
“This is a tragic incident that has caused immense damage and loss to the affected individuals and their families. It is disheartening to see such devastation in our city. As a representative of the people, I am committed to ensuring that those affected receive the necessary support and assistance to rebuild their lives”
“I will work closely with relevant government agencies and organizations to provide relief materials, financial aid, and any other necessary resources to help them recover from this unfortunate incident. We must come together as a community to support and uplift those in need during this difficult time.” Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong Jrn who represented the Southern Senatorial District at the upper of the National Assembly gave this assurance during a visit to the scene of the fire incident.
“Certainly, I know how you feel, let me assure everyone here affected by this unfortunate event that in the next plenary, I will raise this unfortunate event on the floor of the house to see what we can do to help”
“It is with great sadness that we gather here today to address the devastating fire incident that occurred in our community. The loss of property and livelihoods is truly heart-wrenching, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected”
“As a representative of the people, I must ensure that your voices are heard and that action is taken to alleviate the suffering caused by this tragedy”.
“I understand the pain and frustration that comes with such a devastating event, and I want to assure you that I will do everything in my power to bring attention to this matter and seek assistance for those affected”
Those were the words from, Hon. Effiong Ekarika who represented Calabar South-1 state constituency at the State House of Assembly.
In times like these, we must come together as a community and support one another. The State Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Angela Ogeyi Odey, has already visited the affected shops to assess the damage caused by the fire incident. She has pledged to write reports on this unfortunate inferno and forward them to the government for prompt action.
“It is heartening to see such dedication and commitment from our government officials, and I am confident that they will do everything possible to provide the necessary support and assistance to those affected. However, it is also important for us as a community to stand united and lend a helping hand to those who are faced with difficult times such as this”
