Solar panels catch fire on roof of Cinemark in Southpark Meadows, Austin

What happened

Austin Fire Department said crews were working a fire in solar panels on the roof of Cinemark in Southpark Meadows, south Austin, around 2 p.m. on 15 April 2023. At that time the fire was under control and evacuation was complete. Firefighters later used a machine to clear remaining smoke from the building. The department said firefighters cleared the scene at 4:15 p.m. It did not report any injuries. The theatre was to remain closed pending restoration of electricity, with no stated time for reopening.

Lessons learned

1. A rooftop solar fire at an occupied commercial building can still require a full evacuation even when crews report the fire under control.
2. Smoke can remain inside after a rooftop panel fire, so extraction may be needed before the building is cleared.
3. Electricity may stay off after the fire is out, so operators should plan for a closure of unknown length.

Source

kxan.com