Tanning Bed Dismantled After Severely Burning 6 Women

A Massachusetts health inspector has dismantled a Hyannis tanning bed that severely burned six women

A day after a health inspector visited Sun Center 2000, we've learned the broken tanning bed has been dismantled.

On Tuesday, we shared the stories of three women, who suffered second degree burns in the same tanning bed late last week at Sun Center 2000 in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

They all went to Cape Cod Hospital and have serious concerns about the long-term cancer causing health risks.

We've now learned that 3 other women were also burned, allegedly in bed #10, also on Thursday and Friday.

One of them is Nicole Bennett, who has been tanning there for 7 years, but only a few years with these owners.

"I opened my eyes and looked around and realized one of the face bulbs was missing the plexiglass and one of the bulbs on the side was (as well). And I know from experience, the plexiglass is there for a reason," Bennett said.

Five, including Bennett, are represented by attorney John Manoog, who says he sent a letter to the tanning salon about a potential claim, so the salon owner can notify her insurance agent.

We again tried to reach the owner, but she did not return our calls and a worker declined our request for comment.

The women who were burned said they were told an exposed bulb in the tanning bed was to blame.

Over at the Barnstable town offices, the Director of Regulatory Services said the bed was dismantled by the health inspector Tuesday.

He did not want us to see the inspection report, saying the investigation is ongoing and that the burn victims have 5 days to file an injury report with the town and the state.

So what's next, as these women continue to heal?

If the health department determines there is a violation, there would be a show cause disciplinary hearing in front of the Board of Health.

Here are the three possible results of that hearing:

1. Conditions placed on the salon
2. License suspended for a period of time
3. License revoked

Nicole knows what she thinks should happen.

"If you're exposing people to lights like that, bulbs like that, and putting people's skin and health at risk, I don't think you should be operating a business," she added.

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