FORT MYERS, FL – A pre-dawn fire erupted at a local spa on West First Street, leaving business owners and employees grappling with the aftermath. Flames were seen shooting from the building just after 5 a.m., prompting a swift response from the Fort Myers Fire Department.
Devin Allen, who manages the spa, described the distressing phone call she received at 6:30 a.m. “I’m at the spa. It’s on fire,” was the alarming message she heard. The immediate concern was for the safety of the 23 employees who rely on the establishment for their livelihood.
Fire Chief Tracy McMillion reported that the blaze was ignited by essential oils that had been improperly stored. The oils, which were cleaned and dried, had been stacked on a chair, leading to the unfortunate incident.
The damage inside the spa is extensive, with the owner expressing deep sorrow over the destruction of a business he spent decades building. “It’s hard to look at,” he admitted, reflecting on the hard work that was now reduced to ashes.
This incident marks a challenging period for the business, which has faced multiple setbacks recently. The spa’s operations have been severely impacted, forcing them to rely on a smaller, secondary location that can only accommodate one client at a time, compared to the usual six.
Despite the adversity, there is a determination to support the employees through this difficult time. The financial strain is palpable, with the business already struggling before the fire. “It’s a lot of pressure to have other people’s livelihoods on you,” Allen said, emphasizing the commitment to not let their team down.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. However, the city has declared the building unsafe, further complicating recovery efforts.
As the community rallies around the spa, efforts are underway to explore alternative solutions to sustain the business and its employees during this challenging period.