Inferno Engulfs Calabar’s Timber Hub: A Night of Destruction

An overnight blaze has obliterated a well-known timber market in Calabar.

This market serves as a key hub for timber and related commerce in the state capital.

Vendors report that the inferno has destroyed over N500 million worth of lumber and other timber merchandise across numerous stalls.

The blaze ignited on Friday evening when most of the timber merchants and other vendors in the market had closed up shop for the day.

There is still no clarity on the origin of the fire.

At the time of this report, no fire department unit had reacted to the crisis.

In many recent fire incidents within the state capital, fire services have seldom intervened, resulting in complete destruction of structures.

During the previous weekend, they did not respond when a significant gas explosion occurred at a private fueling station on Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South LGA.

Calabar is home to both state and federal fire services, as well as fire departments from the Airport and Nigerian Port Authority.

Witnesses have reported that the majority of shops in the timber market have been engulfed in flames.

Many timber traders who returned home after closing have rushed back to the market to explore the possibility of salvaging any items.

No pertinent authorities, including the police, the state emergency management agency, and fire services, have issued any statements.