A devastating fire on Monday night ravaged over 200 stores at the Ikom main market in the Cross River Local Government Area, as reported by Chika Anya, the market’s Lagos line chairman, who mentioned that the intensity of the inferno left nothing salvageable from the affected shops.

Anya highlighted the recurring nature of fire incidents in the market, pointed out the lack of substantial support from the state fire service, and emphasized the urgent need for government assistance to help the affected individuals recover and rebuild their lives.

Augustine Eze, one of the shop owners impacted by the fire, expressed the challenge of determining the fire’s cause due to the absence of electricity and strict regulations against staying overnight in the market, while also echoing the frustration over the historical lack of assistance during such emergencies.

Despite Peter Okorebi, the state director of fire service, promising an investigation into the fire’s origin and preventive measures, he noted the shop owners’ persistent habit of cooking in the shops despite safety warnings, refuting claims of inadequate firefighting equipment in the region.