Morley Market Fire Leaves Businesses and Community Devastated
A massive fire has torn through Morley Market in Perth’s north-east, leaving behind scenes of devastation and heartbreak. Authorities have confirmed the blaze was deliberately lit, and now the focus has shifted to investigating who was responsible.
The fire broke out just after midnight, around 12:30am, and within minutes it spread rapidly through the popular shopping centre. More than 120 firefighters were called in, working for hours to stop the flames from reaching nearby buildings. Despite their efforts, the 5,000-square-metre market building was almost completely destroyed. The roof collapsed, and thick smoke continued to billow from the structure well into the morning.
Incident controller Andre Duckworth said every business inside had been affected in some way. For many, that meant complete loss. The market was home to dozens of small, mostly family-run businesses—fruit and vegetable stalls, coffee shops, a large Chinese restaurant, phone repair services, and long-standing specialty stores like sewing machine repairers and jewellers. Many of these shops had been part of the community for decades, serving locals since the 1960s.
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Police have confirmed arson is suspected, with the arson squad and WA Police detectives now leading the investigation. CCTV footage is being reviewed, and authorities have urged anyone with information or dash-cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
For business owners, the damage is overwhelming. Peter Nguyen, whose family has run the Bishop Street Newsagency for about 20 years, described the scene as “hellish.” He said his parents were devastated after putting so much time and effort into building their shop and community. Others, like the owner of May Beauty and Frida Tattoo Studio, shared similar grief, noting both financial losses and the emotional weight of seeing years of hard work vanish overnight. Some have already launched fundraising campaigns in hopes of rebuilding, though many acknowledge the road ahead will be long.
Local residents, too, are mourning the loss. Long-time plumber Shane Calegari reflected on how the market had been a cornerstone of Morley for more than 60 years—long before larger shopping complexes arrived. For many, the market was more than just a place to shop; it was a hub of social life and local culture.
Community meetings are being held to support affected business owners, and temporary assistance is being organized. Meanwhile, smoke warnings remain in place for surrounding areas, with residents advised to keep windows closed and stay indoors until conditions clear.
For now, Morley Market stands as a shell of what it once was—a place filled with life, energy, and stories. What remains is the resilience of its community, who are already rallying together to figure out how to rebuild after this devastating act.
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