Flames damage store in downtown Merced

A fire early Wednesday burned a business on Canal Street in downtown Merced, the Fire Department reported, causing an estimated $100,000 in damages.

The fire at Bella Mijno Vintage, a thrift store at 1720 Canal St., was reported about 4:41 a.m., the department said, when heavy smoke was seen coming from the front of the single-story building.

Crews were able to contain the fire to the store, according to the department. The business owner was in the building at the time the fire started and escaped injury by leaving before crews arrived, firefighters said.

The damage was estimated at $75,000 to the structure and $25,000 to the store’s contents, the department said.

Crews responded with 19 firefighters, six fire vehicles and a battalion chief. Additional staff was called to reserve equipment to provide services to the rest of the city while crews fought the flames downtown, according to the department.

Two adjacent buildings suffered smoke damage and utilities were shut off to four other businesses while crews fought the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Flames damage store in downtown Merced."