By Godwin Ajom
Within the last couple of days, residents of the commercial city of Ikom in central Cross River State and Calabar, the state capital, have suffered tragic fire incidents that have wrecked several homes and businesses.
Findings by CrossRiverWatch reveal that the unfortunate incidents struck at about 2:AM on Thursday while residents and business owners at Okim Osabor Street, Ikom, were asleep.
A two-storey building opposite Access Bank Ikom was in flames with businesses and property worth millions of Naira – about 50 homes, 8 Shops were destroyed.
Similarly, about 40,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as fuel, was also lost in an inferno that occurred late hours of Monday in Calabar.
Explaining the cause of the petrol explosion, an eyewitness who spoke with our reporter at the scene of the incident said that: “The petrol tanker, which was fully loaded from Calabar Depot, lost control while ascending the hill and crashed against an electricity pole, which led to a spark that caused the fire.”
The scene of the explosion, which has become a center of attraction for onlookers and sympathizers, has left scars of the burnt petrol tanker beyond recognition, with the rumble of fallen, broken electricity poles and disconnected cables.
Meanwhile, a businessman and his team, who were believed to be the owners of the burnt product, could not say a word to this reporter at the scene due to the shock from the incident, and they were seen inspecting their damaged product.
There was no loss of life during the explosion as the driver and his assistant jumped out before the flame erupted.
Reacting to the tragedies, the Member representing Ikom 1 in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang, accompanied by the Director General of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Antigha Gill, and the Vice Chairman of Ikom Local Government Council, Hon. Maurice Ekpando, and the Red Cross Society, sympathized with the victims and called for urgent assistance. They were on a spot assessment.
Chairman of Ikom LGA, Hon. Mercy Nsor, has appealed to the State Government to come to the victims’ aid through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other related government agencies, stating that the damages are huge even though no life was lost.
In her words: “I’m just arriving in Ikom from Calabar, where we had an emergency meeting with His Excellency. I was very worried and devastated immediately when I heard about this ugly incident while on my way to Ikom.
“I truly sympathize with all the victims of this ugly situation. While we await government support, I have requested that the affected victims, especially mothers and children, be relocated immediately to one of the local government council’s apartments. Food, as well as other basic needs, should be made available for them.
“I will supervise their relocation myself and will only retire home when they are comfortably settled and have had something to eat,” she assured.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State fire service in Ikom stated that they received intelligence of the incident in Ikom very late and were unable to respond promptly.
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