By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR -The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency( CR-SEMA) has cautioned against looting and vandalism at SPAR, the multimillion shopping mall engulfed by inferno early today in Calabar
The Agency, has also urged residents and business owners to allow security agencies and emergency responders to carry out their duties while investigations and assessments continue.
The Director- General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, gave the warning during an on-the-spot assessment of the devastating fire incident that occurred at SPAR Calabar in the early hours of Saturday.
He sympathized with the affected business owners and expressed the state government’s solidarity with victims of the incident.
The State SEMA boss was at SPAR with the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The fire, which reportedly started at about 6:00 a.m., sent thick smoke across parts of Calabar and caused extensive damage to shops, goods and other properties within the shopping complex.
Several businesses, including a pharmacy, electronics store, clothing outlet, perfumery and phone shop, were affected by the inferno, with significant losses recorded by business owners.
Although no death was recorded, the incident resulted in substantial destruction of property, while some persons reportedly required assistance after being affected by the heavy smoke.
The assessment team, comprising officials of NEMA, CR-SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, inspected the affected areas, interacted with victims and commenced documentation of the extent of damage and losses suffered by businesses and individuals.
During the assessment, Mr. Nyong, who conveyed the goodwill of the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, assured the victims that the Agency would commence the necessary documentation and enumeration of affected persons and their losses to provide a clearer picture of the impact of the disaster.
He said the Agency would continue to work with NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other relevant stakeholders to determine areas where immediate support could be provided to those affected.
The CR-SEMA Director -General also commended personnel of the Cross River State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, University of Calabar Fire Service and other first responders for their efforts in containing the fire and preventing further spread.
- Preliminary reports indicated that the fire may have been preceded by an electrical fault within the complex, although the exact cause of the outbreak and the full extent of the losses remain subject to further assessment.