Fire destroys property worth millions of naira at Watt-Market in Cross River,

Property worth several millions of naira was on Monday evening consumed by fire in a popular market called ‘Watt-Market’. The inferno started at about 8pm and lasted for over four hours before the fire was put under control.

An eyewitness who gave his name as Chukwuemeka said the cause of the fire was not known as there was no electrical supply in the market in
the past three years.

But another eyewitness who declined given her names said that the cause may not be connected with generator and fuel used by traders and
technicians (Radio Mechanics) in the market.

Investigations carried out by our correspondent revealed that the fire burnt down several shops and stalls in the watt-market. “The fire consumed shops and stalls along Hewet Street and Goldie axis of the market” a source hinted.

The property mostly destroyed includes electronics, building materials, assorted paints, clothes and electrical materials and other
unidentified items as well as cash.

Police and other security agencies condoned the market and re-direct traffics to other areas. Most of the victims of the incident were seen
crying and lamenting their losses.

Mma Mma Okorie, one of the victims told Daily Times that she lost all her materials in her stalls. “I have property worth over two million naira in my stall and have not been able to take anything out of it”
She said she did not know how the fire started but was surprise to see the flame approaching her stalls and consumed everything. She regretted that the incident wouldn’t have been devastation assuming fire service came to the rescue of the traders

By Edem Bassey, Calabar