Solar panel roof fire at Middleton Operations Center
Apr 2026Published 28 Sept 2026
- Where
- Middleton Operations Center in Middleton, Wisconsin
- What
- Roof fire involving solar panels damaged electrical system, seven solar panels and part of roof structure
- Injuries
- None reported
- Response
- Middleton firefighters extinguished the fire ten minutes after arrival
- Cause
- Under investigation
What happened
Middleton firefighters responded on Thursday afternoon to a roof fire involving solar panels at the Middleton Operations Center in Middleton, Wisconsin. The fire damaged the building's electrical system, seven solar panels and part of the roof structure. Crews extinguished the fire about ten minutes after arrival. No injuries were reported, and medical staff were at the site as a precaution. The initial call suggested the fire may have started because of an issue with the building's solar panels. The cause remains under investigation. A possible electrical problem has been suggested, but that is not a confirmed finding.
Contributing factors
The cause is under investigation. The initial call suggested a problem with the solar panels, and a possible electrical problem has been mentioned. Neither has been confirmed.
Lessons learned
- A rooftop solar panel fire may affect the building electrical system, so operators should plan for rapid isolation of the DC supply before crews arrive.
- An early report that solar panels started a fire must be treated as unconfirmed until the investigation finishes.
Not yet known
- Confirmed cause of the fire
- Model and age of the solar panels
- Cost of repairs
- Duration of any downtime
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Published 2026-09-28. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.