Fire Ravages Akim Timber Market in Calabar, Traders Suffer Heavy Losses
By Ekanem ASUQUO
A fierce fire has swept through parts of the popular Akim Timber Market in Calabar, Cross River State, leaving traders with losses estimated at over N500 million.
The incident, which is the second major fire outbreak in the city within one week, occurred on Friday night at about 8:45 p.m., after trading activities had ended and shops were left unattended. The market, a key centre for timber business in the state capital, was rapidly engulfed as flames spread across rows of stalls filled with planks and other wood products.
Eyewitnesses said the fire destroyed several shops before any intervention could be made. Traders who returned after hearing about the incident were seen making frantic efforts to salvage their goods, but most of the items had already been consumed by the flames.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and no casualties have been reported as of the time of filing this report.
Residents and traders expressed concern over the apparent absence of emergency response teams, noting that no fire service personnel arrived at the scene while the fire continued to rage. They described the situation as part of a recurring pattern of delayed response to fire emergencies in the city.
The latest incident follows a similar concern raised last weekend after a gas explosion at a private filling station along Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South Local Government Area, where emergency responders were also reported to have arrived late.
Observers say the recurring fire outbreaks highlight challenges within the state’s emergency response system, with residents often relying on alternative fire units operated by the University of Calabar, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the airport, and the Federal Fire Service.
In previous incidents, frustration over delayed response has led to tension, including an attack on Federal Fire Service personnel and the vandalisation of their truck during a fire outbreak around the Goldie by Bassey Duke axis of Calabar.
Concerns have also been raised about the limited availability of functional fire trucks in the state and the impact of mass retirements within the fire service.
As of press time, no official statement had been issued. Authorities, including the police and the State Emergency Management Agency, have yet to comment on the incident.
