Rooftop solar fire prompts evacuation at Niagara Bottling plant in Seguin, Texas

A fire broke out in the rooftop solar panel system at the Niagara Bottling plant in Seguin, Texas. Firefighters were called after a report of fire on the roof of the roughly one million square foot building. Employees evacuated the facility as heavy smoke was visible. A drone was used to confirm the fire was isolated to the solar panels, located near the centre of the large roof, which made access difficult for crews. Firefighters from the local department, assisted by a neighbouring fire department, used aerial ladders and around 800 feet of hose to reach and extinguish the blaze, bringing it under control in about 45 minutes. Damage was largely confined to the roof covering and the solar panel system, with some light smoke inside the building but no interior fire damage. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The scale of the building, with the fire located near the centre of a roof spanning approximately one million square feet, significantly hindered firefighter access and required extended hose lines and aerial ladder operations.

1. Large rooftop solar installations on expansive industrial buildings can create significant access challenges for fire crews, requiring extended hose lines and aerial equipment.
2. Aerial drone reconnaissance can help responders quickly identify the location and nature of a rooftop fire before committing crews.
3. Mutual aid arrangements between neighbouring fire departments can be critical for effectively responding to fires at large industrial facilities with rooftop solar systems.

seguintoday.com/2026/06/02/fire-damages-solar-panels-at-niagara-bottling...