Flames engulfed the Egyptian Revival Day Spa in Carterville Wednesday morning.

Several passersby reported smoke leaving the two-story building at around 4:51 am. Police and fire squads from Herrin, Carterville, Marion and the Williamson County Fire District reported to the scene shortly after.

Herrin Fire Capt. Tom Hatley said when he arrived to the scene he could tell the case was a total loss.

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“The whole building sustained heavy and irrevocable damage,” he said.

There was no one in the building at the time of the fire. Authorities were able to have the fire completely out by 6:15 am.

Hatley said the fire started in the basement when a dryer spontaneously combusted and was fed by nearby towels and cloths.

Leslie Ward, a massage therapist at the spa, stopped by  the scene after visiting a local unemployment office.

“It’s just hard, you never suspect something like this would actually happen to you,” Ward said.