The fire started at about 11 am on the second floor of the largely timber building, while three staff at a neighbouring furniture shop were downstairs.
After staff smelled smoke, they quickly escaped the building.
About 40 people tried valiantly to put out the fire, but their efforts couldn’t stop extensive damage being caused.
The owner of the house put the damage bill at between B2-3 million. It’s still not clear what triggered the blaze. No one was hurt.