Little Saigon Market

Footscray's iconic Little Saigon market fire on Tuesday 13th December 2016 is expected to leave a damage bill of more than $12 million. Firefighters say the blaze, which continued to burn into the evening, started in the refrigeration system above a cool room shortly after 6am. Excavators began demolishing part of the market on Tuesday afternoon so firefighters could get inside and fight the fire internally, a Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokeswoman said. The fire also destroyed at least 6000 school textbooks and Christmas presents donated to the Les Twentyman Foundation. The market which was due to close for renovation works i not expected to reopen until late 2017. Work starts to rebuild Little Saigon market in Footscray Caroline Schelle, Maribyrnong Leader January 31, 2017 1:00pm DEMOLITION has begun on the fire-ravaged Little Saigon market site, with owners hopeful a rebuild could commence soon. The market was destroyed in a blaze on December 13 but produce was left to rot for almost two months because traders were denied access to the site due to safety concerns. It has resulted in a rotten stench that has frustrated residents, visitors to the area and nearby traders.