Panic erupted in Calabar on Saturday morning after a fire swept through part of the SPAR Mall, the main shopping centre in the city of Cross River State.
Eyewitnesses and videos circulating online show thick smoke rising from the building, with flames clearly visible from Barracks Road, about 100 yards from the scene. The mall, which residents describe as the only one in Calabar, appears to have sustained significant damage to at least one part of its premises.
How the Fire Started
HAPPENING NOW:
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) August 22, 2026
Fire outbreak reported at Spar Mall in Calabar, Cross River State. pic.twitter.com/vgCnL2jkS6
Sources on the ground say the blaze started in a section of the mall that houses a pharmacy, a clothing store, a perfumery, and a phone shop. The same building hosts several multinational retailers, including SPAR, which serves as the primary grocery and retail anchor within the complex.
Activities inside the building typically include food preparation, baking, and the use of electrical equipment, which may be considered during the investigation into the cause of the fire. The cause and full extent of the damage remain unknown at this time.
Response and Rescue Efforts
In the initial stages of the fire, only one fire service truck was reportedly present. Sources indicate that the mall’s internal hydrant system was overwhelmed by the extent of the blaze.
Law enforcement officers arrived to control the gathering crowd and prevent looting. The Cross River State Fire Service has been working to contain and extinguish the flames.
As of this report, no casualties have been confirmed.
A Landmark in Calabar
SPAR Calabar first opened in 2012, making it one of the earliest modern retail venues in the state capital. Located in the city centre near Watt Market and the well-known Bogobiri area, it has served as a key shopping and commercial hub for Calabar residents for over a decade.
For many, the mall was more than a place to shop. It was a gathering point, a landmark, and a symbol of modern retail in the city.
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What Happens Next
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement. The cause and full extent of the damage remain unknown at this time.
Members of the public are advised to stay away from the area to allow emergency responders to continue their work.
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