A fire has gutted parts of the SPAR Mall in Calabar, Cross River State, destroying shops, goods, and other valuable property.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, throwing traders, workers and residents into panic, as thick smoke and flames were seen billowing from sections of the shopping complex.

The fire reportedly affected several sections of the mall, including areas housing a pharmacy, clothing outlet, perfumery and phone shop.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, as traders and workers struggled to salvage goods and other valuables from the affected sections.

Some shop owners were seen in tears, lamenting the loss of their businesses and investments, with losses feared to run into billions of naira.

This photo shows a scene from a fire outbreak at a mall in Calabar, Cross River State, on August 22, 2026.

The incident also attracted residents and passersby, while security personnel were deployed to maintain order and secure the premises.

Government officials also arrived at the scene to assess the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies on the emergency response.

The State Environmental Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Raymond Anunobi, was among officials who visited the scene.

Also present was the Cross River State Governor’s Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, who joined the assessment of the affected facility.

The officials inspected the affected sections of the mall and interacted with stakeholders as authorities sought to determine the extent of the damage and coordinate further response.

The immediate cause of the fire remains unknown, while authorities are expected to investigate the incident and establish what triggered the outbreak.

A photo combo shows scenes from a fire outbreak at a mall in Calabar, Cross River State, on August 22, 2026.

For the affected traders, the immediate concern remains the loss of goods and businesses, as they await a full assessment of the damage and possible intervention.

The incident comes a month after a midnight fire outbreak razed 17 containerised lock-up shops at Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in July.

Emergency responders arrived at approximately 12:54 a.m. to find the fire engulfing 17 shops in a row of about 30 containerised lock-up shops.

The affected shops were located on a parcel of land measuring approximately 648 square metres within a larger premises covering about 1,944 square metres.

In February, two separate midnight fire outbreaks destroyed shops and goods in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The incidents occurred at Nwafor Plaza, off Oby Okoli Avenue by UNIZIK Junction, Okpuno Road, and at Igiligi Lane, off Godwill Junction, Okpuno — all in Awka South Local Government Area.

No casualties were recorded in either incident, but property and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed. (Channels)