About 44 persons have been rendered homeless, following a fire incident that engulfed an 11-room residential apartment in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The Guardian learnt that the incident occurred on Wednesday at Edibe, near Abua Street, in Calabar South Local Council.
The incident was one of several fire outbreaks recorded in the state in January.
As of press time, the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained. Findings revealed that investigations are ongoing.
Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Anam, who visited the scene, sympathised with victims who lost properties. He assured them of the state government’s support. He urged them to remain hopeful as efforts were being made to provide them with assistance to cushion the effect of the emergency.
“Governor Bassey Edet Otu will do everything within his powers to provide you with relief materials and other support you may require,” Anam said.
A representative of the Red Cross Society also pledged the organisation’s commitment to assisting the victims, even as he charged residents to be cautious on safety measures to forestall recurrence.
