A trader at the Spar shopping mall in Calabar, Cross River State, has recounted how a blown bulb and power fluctuations preceded the fire that engulfed the shopping complex.

The trader, speaking in an interview with TVC News, said the incident began the previous night when a bulb in her shop blew and smoke was noticed. She said she alerted the mall’s maintenance team, who switched off part of the power supply and promised to address the issue the following morning.

She added that several tenants later complained of power fluctuations on the mall’s platform, with her shop also affected.

The trader said she was attending a church service when she received a call informing her that the fire had spread into the mall, leaving several businesses at risk.

Another source at the scene praised firefighters and security agencies for responding promptly, saying their intervention helped prevent the fire from escalating further and stopped suspected vandals and criminals from looting the premises.