Fire causes major damage to Castroville store

A fire broke out late Tuesday morning inside a store on Merritt Street in Castroville, the North Monterey County Fire Department reported.

The store, which sells Mexican clothing, shoes and statues, is a near total loss. Residents of the apartments in the upper part of the building were allowed to return home Tuesday evening.

The fire, reported around 11:30 a.m., is believed to have been caused by some sort of electrical issue.

Crews were assisted by members of the Salinas, Watsonville and Presidio of Monterey fire departments, as well as a Cal-Fire chief. About 30 firefighters were on scene as a precaution in case it became a much bigger fire.

No injuries were reported.