By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN — A Midtown tanning salon got a burn it wasn’t expecting on Wednesday morning when a fire broke out in the salon's reception area.
The fire erupted at Portofino Sun Tanning at 47 West 57th Street about 7:15 a.m., the FDNY said. The fire originated in or around a couch that sat in the salon's front room, according to FDNY officials on the scene.
"We were making a delivery across the street and just saw the neon sign go up in flames," carpenter Elvin Flores, 28, said of a sign that hung above the couch in the reception area.
Approximately 30 firefighters responded to the one-alarm fire, which was under control within 20 minutes, FDNY said.
Firefighters had to force their way into the salon, which was heavily fortified with a roll down gate at its fourth floor entrance.
"This place was locked up like a bank," said Deputy FDNY Chief Donoghue.
Police closed 57th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues to traffic while firefighters controlled the blaze. The street was reopened by 8:05 a.m.
