Solar panels catch fire and destroy three buildings in Harby

June 2024Published 25 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectrical

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From the recordRoot cause

Where: Workshop roof in Harby, near Melton Mowbray
What: Solar panels caught fire and destroyed three outbuildings
Injuries: None reported
Response: Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire fire services responded
Cause: Electrical fault with the solar panels believed

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What happened

Solar panels on the roof of a workshop in Harby, near Melton Mowbray, caught fire on 26 June 2024. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service attended after an emergency call at 1.49pm. The fire destroyed three outbuildings. The incident was closed at 9.29pm. Crews from Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire fire services responded. No injuries were reported.

Contributing factors

An electrical fault with the solar panels is the believed cause.

Lessons learned

An electrical fault in roof mounted solar panels can start a fire that spreads to nearby buildings, so operators should check wiring and connections on all similar arrays.
A solar panel fire on a workshop roof destroyed three outbuildings before it was put out, so insurers should require clear separation or fire breaks around panel arrays.

More lessons on spacing, layout and fire spread, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

Exact cause of the electrical fault
Model and age of the solar panels
Cost of the damage and lost use

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Source

leicestermercury.co.uk

Published 2026-09-25. 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).

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