Massive Fire Guts Building Opposite Access Bank in Ikom, Goods Worth Millions Lost

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Blaze Destroys Commercial Property in Ikom

A devastating fire has razed a commercial building opposite Access Bank in Ikom, Cross River State, destroying goods worth millions of naira and leaving traders counting their losses.

Akahi News gathered that the incident occurred on Friday night, engulfing the entire structure before emergency responders could bring the flames under control. Witnesses described the scene as “terrifying,” with the fire spreading rapidly and reducing the building to rubble within hours.

Traders Lament Huge Losses

Several shop owners told Akahi News that the blaze consumed everything in sight, including valuable stock and equipment. One trader, visibly shaken, said:

“This is our entire livelihood gone in a single night. We couldn’t salvage anything. The loss runs into millions.”

Others expressed frustration over the slow response of emergency services, claiming that early intervention might have reduced the extent of damage.

Cause of Fire Under Investigation

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the inferno. However, preliminary suspicions point to an electrical fault, though arson has not been ruled out. Officials have assured that investigations are ongoing and findings will be made public once concluded.

Call for Safety Measures

Residents and business owners in the area have called on the local government to provide functional fire service stations and enforce stricter safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

As of the time of filing this report, no casualties have been confirmed, but the financial impact of the incident is expected to be significant.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org