Workers ‘lucky’ after blaze damages shop

Staff members of Maisies Market Shop in Rockingham were shocked to see the burnt-out remains of their work premises last week.

The fire, which caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage, occurred on Monday, August 12, at the Kent Street shop.

Employee and sister of the owner, Jenna Morton of Rockingham, said they had been lucky because nobody was in the shop and it had not been open that day.

“I had the police knocking on my door at about 11pm that night to tell me what had happened,” she said.

WA Police Arson Squad Senior Sergeant Chris De Bruin said the fire did not seem to be suspicious and the cause of the blaze remained undetermined.

“No entry was gained to the premises prior to the fire and for now it appears to be electrical,” he said.

Ms Morton said her brother owned the shop with their father and they had insurance as a fire occurred some time ago at her father’s other business when it had been uninsured.

“Mum and Dad are really upset over it and didn’t want to see the shop,” she said.

Sgt De Bruin said the CCTV footage had been examined and local police were doing door knocks in the area, but if anybody saw anything suspicious to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.