Morley Market fire: Devastating complex blaze deemed non-suspicious after initial firebug fears
A fire that swept through a popular market centre, leaving dozens of small businesses in ruins, has been deemed non-suspicious after authorities initially believed it was the work of a firebug.
More than 75 firefighters with 20 trucks battled the blaze at Morley Market, on Bishop St in Morley, Perth, after it was reported about 12.40am on Wednesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Devastating Morley Market fire destroys businesses.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.By the time the danger was contained and controlled about 8am, the fierce inferno had left the entire complex a shell that will likely need to be demolished.
“My heart breaks for those business owners,” WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said as he prepared to fly to Victoria for the funerals of two officers allegedly gunned down by fugitive Dezi Freeman.
No injuries were reported and emergency crews were able to quell any threat of it spreading to major shopping centre, Morley Galleria, on the opposite side of Bishop St.
The fire was initially thought to be deliberate, with a police appeal made for information, but it is now being treated as “non-suspicious”.
“No criminality has been detected. Department of Fire and Emergency Services investigators will continue to examine the scene to determine the cause,” WA Police said on Wednesday afternoon.
Morley Market is home to more than 20 businesses including food markets, restaurants, a barber, newsagent and camera house.
Many of them are family run and have called the centre home for decades.
“I came here as soon as I could but when we got here the police told us we can’t get any closer because of the toxic fumes,” Bishop St Newsagency’s Peter Nguyen said.
“There’s nothing left, everything’s gone.”
Warren Forder, from Morley Camera House, said it was “devastating”.
“Inside looks a mess, an absolute mess,” he said.
Business owners had a meeting with police and investigators at the local library and continue to wait for answers.
Customers are also reeling in shock.
“It’s just sad for the whole community because it was a buzzy little place,” one local told 7NEWS.
“The carpark was always busy. It was just a great place to go to.”
Originally published on 7NEWS
