Sunlight on canopy caused Shipdham school fire, delaying reopening
UKPulse Local Desk
A fire that damaged Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham was caused by refracted sunlight on a perspex canopy. The school will not reopen as planned on September 3, with remote learning initially in place.
- The fire at Thomas Bullock Primary Academy was caused by refracted light on a perspex canopy.
- Three classrooms were damaged in the blaze, which occurred shortly after 2pm last Thursday.
- The school will not reopen on September 3, with remote learning planned for at least a week.
Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham, near Dereham, Norfolk, suffered a fire last Thursday that damaged three classrooms. The blaze, which broke out shortly after 2pm BST, was caused by refracted light from a perspex canopy at the front of the school.
Oliver Burwood, chief executive officer of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, stated that the fire was accidental and linked to extreme hot weather. He confirmed that the perspex canopy in the reception outdoor area caught light and the fire spread to the building.
Due to the damage, the school will not be able to reopen as planned on September 3. Remote learning will be implemented for at least a week. The incident has been reported to the Department for Education, as similar structures are common in schools across the country.
Why this matters: The incident highlights a rare but increasing risk for schools with similar perspex structures, particularly during hotter summers.
What this means for you: If your child attends Thomas Bullock Primary Academy, they will begin the new school year with remote learning for at least a week from September 3.