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A fire has gutted parts of SPAR Mall in Calabar, Cross River State, destroying shops, goods and other valuable property.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday, sending traders, workers and residents into panic.
Thick smoke and flames were seen coming from several sections of the shopping complex, including a pharmacy, clothing outlet, perfumery and phone shop.
Eyewitnesses said traders and workers rushed to save their goods and valuables as the fire spread through parts of the mall.
Some shop owners were seen in tears over the loss of their businesses, with the damage feared to run into billions of naira.
Security personnel were deployed to control the crowd and secure the premises while government officials visited the scene to assess the damage.
The State Environmental Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Raymond Anunobi, was among the officials who inspected the affected sections.
The Cross River State Governor’s Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, also visited the mall and met with stakeholders.
Authorities are yet to establish the cause of the fire, while investigations are expected to determine what triggered the outbreak.
The incident has renewed concerns over recurring market and commercial building fires in Nigeria.
It occurred about a month after a midnight fire destroyed 17 containerised shops at Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
In February, separate midnight fires also destroyed shops and goods at two locations in Awka, Anambra State.
No casualties were recorded in those incidents, but property worth millions of naira was destroyed.
