Fire guts Kigali’s top nightclub

 Cadillac, one of Kigali’s most popular nightspots, went up in flames in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Sunday, November 18, 2012
A man looks at the burnt Cadillac club early yesterday. The Sunday Times / Timothy Kisambira.

- Over Rwf400 million lost in inferno

- Police says no life lost

 Cadillac, one of Kigali’s most popular nightspots, went up in flames in the wee hours of Saturday morning. According to the Police Spokesperson Theos Badege, the nightclub caught fire at around 2am, burning up a large chunk of the property that has a two clubs (one VIP) a restaurant and children’s play area. The property is located in Kimihurura Sector, Gasabo District. "All I can tell you is that the fire started from the kitchen. We first put focus on putting out the fire.” Badege told The Sunday Times yesterday, adding that the exact cause of the fire was yet to be established. The kitchen was closed at the time the fire broke out. The Police said no lives were lost. When contacted, the owner of the nightclub, Eugene Habimana, commonly known as Cobra, estimated the loss caused by Saturday night’s fire at between $600,000-700,000 (Rwf400 million-Rwf469 million). "I am not really able to give you more details,” Habimana said. Cadillac is not the first night club to be gutted by fire. In February 2010, B-Club Discotheque located in the upscale Nyarutarama area in Gasabo District, was left in total ruins after a fire broke out and destroyed the entire second floor of KL House where the nightclub was located.Other popular hangout joints that have burned up include Executive Carwash in Kimihurura, Downtown Café and La Classe both located in the city centre.