Businesses flattened as deliberately lit fire destroys Morley Markets

Authorities say a fire that gutted dozens of small businesses, many family-run and owned, in Perth’s north overnight was not deliberately lit.

More than 130 emergency responders, including police, paramedics and firefighters, and 25 fire trucks, attended the scene at the Morley Markets, on the corner of Bishop and Progress streets, after the fire sparked around 12.30am.

The blaze destroyed the 5000 square metre building.

It was initially thought by both police and emergency services the fire was deliberately lit with reports of CCTV of two men “throwing” something in a shop window, but officers confirmed on Wednesday afternoon new information had since come to light.

“Following an extensive investigation, detectives from the Arson Squad have determined a fire at a shopping precinct in