Naked Panic on Wood Green High Road as Tanning Salon Goes Up in Flames
Woman Runs Into Street Nude as Fire Erupts
A shocking scene unfolded on Wood Green High Road after a fire broke out at Ania’s Tanning and Beauty just after 2:50pm on Wednesday. Customers and staff were forced to flee the salon in panic, with one woman running into the street completely naked.
Footage captured thick black smoke billowing from the building as firefighters battled the blaze well into the early hours. Police quickly sealed off the area around the junction with Bounds Green Road. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
‘Explosion’ Inside Sunbed Booth Sparks Chaos
Salon owner Ragu Nad revealed the drama started when a regular customer, a bus driver, noticed a crackling noise inside his sunbed booth. “He got out as smoke poured out, then an explosion followed,” said Mr Nad.
“Staff ran out straight away, along with a woman who didn’t have time to get dressed. She was naked but they tried to cover her once she was outside,” he added.
Fire investigators later confirmed the blaze was accidental, caused by a failed cooling fan in one of the sunbeds.
Massive Damage and Costly Losses
The salon’s interior was gutted, with melted sunbeds and charred equipment dumped on the street. Mr Nad, who has run the business for 20 years, stressed the heavy price tag involved: “A single sunbed can cost up to £20,000. The shop will be closed for weeks, and my main worry is keeping my five staff employed.”
A nearby pub worker described the aftermath as “utter carnage” with acrid smoke still lingering in the street.
London Fire Brigade confirmed most of the ground floor was damaged and the cause was accidental. Thanks to quick thinking by the bus driver, a disaster was averted.
