A fire has gutted Duchess Lounge, a popular spot for socialites in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, leaving the establishment in ruins.
Although the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, eyewitnesses speculate that a sudden power surge, exacerbated by the dry weather, may have sparked the blaze.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, reported that the entire first floor of the lounge was completely destroyed.
All furniture, sound systems, and other valuables were reduced to ashes.
The owner of the lounge and former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Joseph Kunini, expressed his shock at the incident.
“It is a sad development and a huge loss, but we thank God no lives were lost. We had just completed a comprehensive renovation of the lounge, including new furniture, in preparation for our third anniversary on December 30,” he said.
The lounge manager, Desmond Wee, revealed that despite contacting the fire service as soon as the fire broke out, they arrived three hours later, by which time the damage had already been done.
The incident has left many patrons and residents in Jalingo shocked, as Duchess Lounge was a prominent hub for relaxation and entertainment.
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