Solar panel fire on townhome roof in Beaverton
July 2026Published 28 Sept 2026
What happened
Smoke and flames were reported from the roof of a three-storey townhouse in the 12400 block of Southwest Cady Lane, Beaverton, on the afternoon of 13 July 2026. A bystander alerted the homeowner, who shut off the solar panel power. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue crews were sent at about 12:13 p.m. and controlled the fire in under an hour, using a rope safety manoeuvre and covering the panels with plastic. Access to the side of the roof where the panel sat was limited. The fire did not spread. No one was displaced and no injuries were reported. The cause is still under investigation.
Contributing factors
The cause has not been reported and remains under investigation. Limited access to the affected side of the roof made the firefighting task more difficult.
Lessons learned
- Prompt shutdown of rooftop solar power by the occupant, once alerted, may limit spread before crews arrive.
- Arrays on roofs with poor side access need planned access methods, including rope systems.
- After isolation, covering panels may help crews finish extinguishment. The cause of this fire is not yet known.
Source
Published 2026-09-28. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.