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Norfolk Schools Urged To Review Fire Safety

Monday, 24 August 2026 12:23

Norfolk schools are being urged to review fire safety after refracted sunlight caused a blaze damaging three classrooms near Dereham.

Schools across Norfolk are being urged to review their fire-safety arrangements after refracted sunlight sparked a blaze which badly damaged a primary school near Dereham.

The fire broke out at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham on Thursday 13 August during a period of extremely hot weather.

Three of the school’s ten classrooms were badly damaged after sunlight refracted through a Perspex canopy covering part of the playground and started the fire.

Norfolk County Council has described the incident as very unusual and caused by a specific set of circumstances.

However, it says the scale of the damage and the impact on the school community mean other schools and early-years settings should take the opportunity to review their own arrangements.

Schools are being advised to consider where strong sunlight could travel through glass, Perspex or similar materials when positioning furniture, displays and other potentially combustible items.

Thomas Bullock Primary Academy will not reopen as originally planned on Thursday 3 September because of the damage.

Pupils are instead expected to begin the new term through remote learning while repairs are carried out and alternative arrangements are put in place.

Nobody was injured in the fire.

 

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