A trader at the Spar shopping mall in Calabar, Cross River State, described the events leading up to a fire that destroyed the mall. She recounted how a blown bulb and power fluctuations were early warning signs that prompted her to notify the mall's maintenance team. Despite these warnings, the fire broke out overnight and quickly spread, forcing her to flee. The trader expressed deep distress over the loss of her husband's shop and uncertainty about her own safety. Witnesses at the scene praised the quick response of firefighters and security personnel, who helped prevent further damage and potential looting.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a fire incident without overtly taking a political stance. While the event involves local governance and infrastructure management, which could be considered politically sensitive, the reporting remains neutral. It focuses on the immediate cause and response
![[VIDEO] Calabar mall fire: Trader narrates how blown bulb, power fluctuation preceded inferno](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=cdn.punchng.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2F23091544%2FWhatsApp-Image-2026-08-23-at-09.15.02_1787472944-1179x630.webp&w=3840&q=75&output=webp&we)




