Overloaded solar installation triggers fire in Ogbomoso home

What happened

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency responded to a fire at a private three-bedroom flat in the Aaje Ologo area of Ogbomoso. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which had engulfed the flat in flames and thick smoke, and prevented spread to neighbouring properties. No casualties were recorded. A preliminary investigation found that the fire originated from an overloaded solar power installation on the roof.

Contributing factors

A preliminary investigation attributed the origin of the fire to an overloaded solar power installation. Further detail on how the installation was overloaded was not reported.

Lessons learned

1. An overloaded solar installation on a roof can ignite a home fire, so operators must size cables and inverters to match panel output before energising.
2. A roof mounted solar fire can spread to the whole flat, so owners must keep clear access for rapid isolation and firefighting.

Not yet known

• How the solar installation was overloaded
• Solar equipment model and age
• Duration of supply interruption
• Cost of damage and repairs

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Source

guardian.ng