One year after Morley Market blaze, shop owners still battle to rebuild
A year after a fire razed Perth's Morley Market, many proprietors remain unable to restart their businesses, citing insurance hurdles and lack of new premises.
One year after a devastating fire swept through Morley Market in Perth's north-east, the loss still haunts the merchants who spent years building their enterprises. The inferno eliminated more than 20 family-run shops and eateries, and although some have managed to re-establish elsewhere, many remain displaced. Tattoo studio owner Mojgan Fakhar now operates from a smaller nearby venue, while barber Mohammad Frahim says finding a new location is proving impossible due to high costs and limited availability.
Insurance claims have been slow, with Frahim noting he lacked contents coverage and received little follow-up from his insurer. Authorities have not identified the fire’s origin, citing severe damage and a failed local alarm that could have enabled earlier containment. City of Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti announced a recovery hub at Morley Library, providing multilingual support and space for meetings with service providers, though no redevelopment proposals for the vacant site have emerged. Across the road, a multi-million-dollar upgrade of the Morley Galleria shopping centre is proceeding.
Why it matters
The story highlights the long-term economic and emotional toll of local disasters on small businesses and the gaps in insurance and emergency response.
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