NEW ORLEANS — The workers and customers at the Unity-1 Beauty Supply were conducting some late evening business at the longtime neighborhood gathering spot when everything was turned upside down in a matter of seconds.
A car that was said to be fleeing a possible police stop, slammed into the business, setting the place on fire and sending the handful of workers and customers scurrying for safety.
Unfortunately at least two people in the car were killed on the scene. One woman, who was getting her hair done, was pulled from the building with serious burns. At least three other people successfully got out of the salon.
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“From what I heard from my other co-workers… it kind of blew up on them while they were in there working, doing what they normally do,” said Aqualia Thomas, who works at the salon.
Thomas said the salon has been at its location for 39 years.
“This is a beauty salon that has been in this community for a long time, both pre and post-Katrina,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who was on the scene. “In our community, the beauty salon is a place of fellowship, and friendship, and so this is a loss, not only to this individual…”
Distraught workers and other members of the community were in tears as they watched the fire, which lingered for several hours.
Kioka Hampton, the niece of the couple that owns the shop, said her aunt and uncle – John and Beverly Smith - used the shop to better the community, helping out those in need in addition to their customers.
She said the loss will be devastating.
“I was lying in bed and I’m getting phone calls. And I look up and there’s my aunt’s shop (on fire). You know, it’s just. It’s so surreal.”
