A paintsprayer whose actions might have saved a whole school from going up in flames is the toast of his workmates after being praised for his speedy actions.
Firefighters were called to the Nicholas Hamond Academy in Swaffham at about 4.40am on Wednesday, after a man alerted the brigade when he smelled burning.
Dad Adrian Buckle, 50, who lives near the school, has now been revealed as the mystery caller.
Damage was caused to the science block, destroying an office and a storage room containing IT equipment and science resources and books. The school was closed that day and only about a third of pupils were allowed back yesterday and Thursday.
Afterwards, school principal Cheryl Hill thanked the mystery caller for phoning the fire service.
Joe Warns, King's Lynn fire station manager, also praised Mr Buckle, and said the fire could have spread to the whole school without his call.
Mr Buckle said: 'I always get up at 4.15am to have a cup of coffee and take the dog for a walk, as I start work at Payne Pallet Inverters in Beeston at 6am. I cut the walk short when I saw a flicker of light coming from the school and smelled smoke. I dialled 999 .
'It was only later at work that I saw on Facebook about the fire, and thought 'Thank God' I had called. I'm glad I did what I did.'
Ms Hill said they were hoping to make necessary repairs during next week's half-term holidays to allow all 600 pupils at the secondary school and sixth form in Brandon Road to return on Monday, February 22.
Have you been praised for your public-spiritedness recently? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk
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