The cause of the inferno is unknown, but unconfirmed sources say the flames might have been generated by an electrical iron.

Traders who were affected by the fire fought hard to stop the fire but the damage it caused to shops and property was enormous.

The inhabitants of New Town and shop owners in the Limbe Old market woke up yesterday Monday 27 January 2014 in the early morning only to discover that fire has ravaged some 50 shops worth millions of FCFA. The fire outbreak is said to have occurred about 3:30 a.m. consumed some fifty wooden shops and their entire contents. The cause of the inferno has not yet been officially established but unconfirmed sources say the flames might have degenerated from a tailoring workshop where an electric iron was forgotten on current.

Given that Limbe has no firefighting brigade, the flames were brought under control by the population through rudimentary methods before the arrival of the Fire Brigade unit of the Rapid Intervention Battalions (BIR), SONARA and the Douala fire fighting brigade. By press time, the exact estimates of the damages have not been determined.

Informed about the incident, the Senior Divisional Officer of Fako, Zang III, the Mayor of Limbe I, Mbua Ro-danny, security and administrative authorities of Limbe went to the site early Monday morning to assess the damages.