Nigeria, March 28 -- Fire engulfed a major timber market in Calabar, Cross River State, on Friday night, razing over 100 shops, witnesses say, causing heavy losses for traders.

The Akim timber market, a key hub for timber and related businesses in the state capital, reportedly contained multi-million naira worth of planks and other timber products, according to traders on the scene.

The fire broke out in the evening after most traders had closed for the day. In a video shared by eyewitnesses at 9:18 p.m. on Friday, flames were still raging across the market.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Witnesses said most of the shops were destroyed. Traders who had left for the day rushed back to assess damage and salvage what they could. ...