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Solar PVUnited KingdomEIR-1170

Rooftop solar panels catch fire at IKEA store in Wembley

Oct 2025Published 22 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantThermal / fire
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
out of service for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hidden
Where
IKEA store, Drury Way, Wembley, north-west London
What
Fire involving approximately 100 solar panels
Injuries
None reported
Response
London Fire Brigade, five engines, 30 firefighters
Outcome
Small section of roof damaged, 250 evacuated

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): IKEA

What happened

On 16 October 2025 a fire broke out on the roof of the IKEA store on Drury Way in Wembley, north-west London. Approximately 100 solar panels were involved. The London Fire Brigade attended with five fire engines and around 30 firefighters, using a 32-metre turntable ladder. The fire was reported at 10:35 and brought under control by 12:44. At least 250 people were evacuated from the store as a precaution. A small section of the roof sustained damage. No injuries were reported.

Lessons learned

  1. Rooftop solar fires on large retail buildings require turntable ladders for access, so operators should ensure local fire services have suitable height equipment.
  2. Fires in elevated solar arrays can spread to the roof structure, so owners should fit early detection and isolation systems.
  3. Visible smoke from rooftop solar fires prompts large-scale evacuations, so stores must plan rapid public safety measures.

More lessons on fire suppression and firefighting, detection and monitoring, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cause of the fire
  • Solar panel model and age
  • Cost of the damage
  • Duration of store closure

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

ibtimes.co.uk

Published 2026-09-22. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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Chart to reuse with this story: Solar PV incidents in the United Kingdom, by year, free with a credit (PNG).

Solar PV incidents in the United Kingdom: 95 entries, with a free alert for the next one.

Solar farm fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: rooftop solar fires.

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