North Augusta tanning salon fire caused by electrical short

An electrical short in a mechanical closet at a North Augusta tanning salon ignited a fire Friday morning that forced the business to evacuate.

Three people were inside the Tan-Fastic Tanning Salon at 216 E. Martintown Road when, about 11:38 a.m., they began to smell smoke coming from the rear of the business, said Sgt. Tim Thornton, a spokesperson for North Augusta Public Safety.

They called a supervisor who instructed them to get the fire extinguisher, but by the time they were able to get to the mechanical closet, they saw heavy smoke and flames and called 911.

"The firefighters went inside to make an interior attack and found evidence of an electrical fire," Thornton said.

The fire was extinguished but not before there was heavy fire, smoke and water damage.

While fire crews worked, power was cut in the area. Thornton said it was restored as soon as it was determined that there wasn't a problem at the power source.

In addition to North Augusta Public Safety firefighters, Belvedere and Merriwether crews assisted with manpower.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office assisted Public Safety with policing while fire crews battled the blaze.

No one at the business nor any firefighters reported any injuries.