Rooftop solar panel fault sparks fire at Kent flats block

A fire broke out on the roof and top floor of a 12 flat block on the Rosewood estate in Eden Road, Langley, near Maidstone, Kent. Residents first noticed smoke around 2.30pm before flames rapidly took hold. A passer by alerted occupants and ten fire engines attended. Firefighters evacuated the affected block and a neighbouring block as a precaution, forcing entry into some flats to confirm they were empty. No injuries were reported, but the 12 households in the affected block were unable to return home and were placed in emergency accommodation. Kent Fire and Rescue Service investigators attended the scene the following day and concluded that a fault with the rooftop solar panels had caused the blaze.

Fire investigators attributed the fire to a fault with the rooftop solar panel installation; no further technical detail on the nature of the fault was reported.

1. Rooftop solar installations on multi-occupancy residential buildings require regular inspection and maintenance to detect developing electrical faults before they escalate.
2. Fire and rescue services should factor in the presence of rooftop solar arrays when planning evacuation and access procedures, since fires can spread rapidly through roof spaces.
3. Building managers should ensure residents are aware of emergency evacuation routes and procedures in properties fitted with rooftop energy generation equipment.

kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/rooftop-solar-panels-started-fire-288467