Cross River fire disaster in Okuku destroys property worth millions, prompting calls for better fire service response and infrastructure

A Cross River fire disaster has left property worth millions of naira destroyed after a late-night inferno engulfed buildings in Okuku, escalating from a single bungalow to nearby structures before being brought under partial control by community efforts.

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The fire reportedly began in a residential bungalow and quickly spread due to its intensity, with residents and passers-by forced to intervene as emergency response services were not immediately effective.

Youths and women in the community worked together to salvage belongings from affected homes in a desperate attempt to limit losses.

Eyewitness Benjamin Ogar attributed the outbreak to a power surge from the public electricity supply, describing the scale of destruction as severe and avoidable with better preparedness.

He expressed concern that the local fire service lacked the necessary equipment to respond effectively when the incident began.

Nsikak Abang, another eyewitness, raised broader concerns about the state of fire service infrastructure across Cross River State.

He urged authorities to urgently upgrade fire stations in Calabar, Ogoja and other areas, warning that inadequate facilities continue to pose significant risks to lives and property.

The incident has renewed calls for investment in emergency response systems, with residents stressing that improved readiness and properly equipped fire stations are essential to mitigating future disasters.

The Cross River fire disaster also highlights the challenges faced by communities in accessing timely and effective firefighting support during emergencies.

In response to enquiries, the Director of the Cross River State Fire Service, Mr Emmanuel Ajom, stated that the service’s fire trucks were currently undergoing maintenance, a factor that may have affected response capability at the time of the incident.

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The fire serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in public safety infrastructure and the urgent need for coordinated action to strengthen emergency services across the state.