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Solar PVUnited StatesEIR-1466

Solar panel fire disrupts first day at Lunenburg school

Aug 2025Published 28 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectrical
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
Lunenburg Middle/High School in Massachusetts
What
Fire broke out on roof solar panels
Injuries
None reported
Response
Firefighters put fire out in 15 to 20 minutes with dry chemical extinguishers
Cause
Under investigation

What happened

A fire broke out on the roof solar panels at Lunenburg Middle-High School in Lunenburg shortly after 11 a.m. on the first day back after summer break. The school was evacuated and students were dismissed early. Firefighters extinguished the fire in 15 to 20 minutes using dry chemical extinguishers. No injuries were reported. At least five panels were damaged and there was minor damage to the roof of the weight room. The incident is under investigation.

Contributing factors

The fire was probably caused by an electrical malfunction from wear and tear and a short circuit.

Lessons learned

  1. Solar panel fires require dry chemical extinguishers because water cannot be used.
  2. Solar panels continue to generate electricity when exposed to sunlight even after the building feed is isolated.
  3. Regular inspection and maintenance of roof-mounted solar arrays can help identify wear that leads to electrical faults.

More lessons on fire suppression and firefighting, electrical protection and isolation, maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Exact cause of the electrical malfunction
  • Model and age of the solar panels
  • Cost of repairs and downtime

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

Source

wcvb.com

Published 2026-09-28. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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