Fire razes house during downpour in Cross River

RESIDENTS of Calabar, Cross River
State, are still amazed at the mysterious fire
that consumed a residential building while rain
was falling in the wee hours of October 3. The mysterious fire, which started at midnight
razed 43, Inyang Street, consuming the roof of
the residential apartments and shops while
residents were asleep, as rain was falling. “We were enjoying our sleep as rain was falling
but suddenly, we heard shouts of fire, fire,
coming from outside and when we rushed out
to see where the fire was burning, the flames
suddenly became very fierce and nobody
return inside again to rescue his belongings,” Udo Sam, a resident told Vanguard. Udo, who said that he is from Etinan in Akwa
Ibom State, added that the state Fire Service
was alerted and they arrived about 20 minutes
later but “The midnight inferno could not be
put out until it had consumed virtually
everything in the house, prompting us to suspect something beyond an ordinary fire.” When Vanguard visited the scene on Saturday,
many residents of the building, who had lost
valuables to the fire were seen lamenting their
plight while some sat dejectedly beside the
razed building while sympathisers consoled
them. “I came out with just my shorts but for some
sympathisers, who gave me a shirt and a
trouser, I would have been naked up till this
moment.”