Over 40 shops and good worth millions of naira have been gutted by fire at the Ikom Main Market in Cross River State.

The inferno, which started at about 2am on Tuesday and was attributed to power upsurge from the public power supply, could not be contained in spite of frantic efforts by shop owners to put it out.

The state fire service station in Ikom, which was contacted for intervention, could not act, complaining of lack of facilities to combat the fire.

David Akate, Deputy Director, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, disclosed that the Director General of the agency, Mr. John Inaku, has since visited the scene of the incident. He said the DG described the destruction as serious.

“Mr. Inaku, who said he was there on a rapid assessment of the destruction, said efforts would be made by the Cross River State Government to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims. According to him, the burnt shops required total rehabilitation and urged the victims to remain calm,” Mr. Akate said in a statement.

One of the victims, Mr. Augustine Chinedu, who lamented that he lost virtually all his goods worth millions of naira, said it was devastating and urged government to urgently come to his aid.

Miss Agbor Okey, a fashion designer, said the incident has put her and the family under trauma as it was the only livelihood of sustenance.

Kelechi Anayo, a dealer in traveling bags and boxes, lamented that he had lost everything in the shop and wondered what he would do next with his life.

Commenting on the fire disaster, the Chairman of Ikom Main Market Traders Union, Mr. Caleb Agwu, called on government agencies, NGOs and philanthropic individuals and organisations to help in cushioning the effect of the disaster.

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