Attleborough's mayor plans to open a temporary butcher's shop on Thursday after a fire broke out inside his main premises when he was at a town council meeting.
Butcher Tony Perkins said he was going to run a smaller shop around the back of his Church Street business while the damage inside was repaired.
Mr Perkins received the shock of his life when two men burst through the town hall doors on Monday night and told him about the blaze.
He said: 'It was a little bit of a surreal scenario to get called out of council meeting and told your shop is on fire.
'Initially I thought it was some kind of a wind-up until I got outside and saw the blue lights.'
Following an investigation, fire officers concluded an electrical fault was the cause of the blaze, which burnt out part of an electrical cabinet inside the shop and caused damage to the ceiling.
He said he was thankful a neighbour raised the alarm and Norfolk Fire and Rescue responded quickly to the call.
Mr Perkins, who also has butcher shops in Dereham and Mattishall, said many townspeople had offered to lend a hand.
He said: 'I'm just grateful there wasn't more damage.
'It could have been a lot worse. Everybody's been really supportive.
'Lots of people have offered help, even if it's just cleaning up with a bucket and sponge.'
Mr Perkins said he was looking forward to reopening, even if he was not yet able to move back into the main shop.
He said: 'There are people that rely on me to be open so you don't want to be letting anyone down.
'There are also pubs and other businesses that rely on a continuity of supply.'
Bernardo Munes, 51, and Teresa Frankowska, 57, were inside the flat above the shop when the fire broke out.
Ms Frankowska noticed smoke coming into the flat and they both managed to get out safely.
Firefighters spent 10 to 15 minutes fighting the fire, and a further 30 to 40 minutes investigating the cause and damping down.
A group of startled town residents gathered in the churchyard opposite the shop when emergency vehicles filled the road.
No-one was hurt.
Do you have an Attleborough story? Call reporter Stuart Anderson on 01603 772568 or email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk
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