Solar panels on fire at retail building in South Petherton
Feb 2025Published 28 Sept 2026
- Where
- roof of a retail or public building in South Petherton
- What
- solar panels on fire
- Response
- Three appliances and aerial ladder platform mobilised
- Cause
- Not reported
- Outcome
- Fire extinguished by 14:57
What happened
On 28 February 2025, fire control received several calls reporting solar panels on fire on the roof of a retail or public building in South Petherton. Three appliances, an aerial ladder platform and a supporting fire officer were mobilised. On arrival, crews asked for two further appliances and a water carrier. They used the aerial ladder platform, two sets of breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet and one light portable pump. The fire was extinguished by 14:57. The incident was then scaled back to one appliance to watch for hotspots and reignition, with further visits scheduled that evening. The cause was not reported.
Lessons learned
- A rooftop solar fire may need an aerial ladder platform and extra appliances because roof access is limited.
- After a solar panel fire is out, one appliance must stay to watch for hotspots and reignition.
Not yet known
- Cause of the fire
- Solar panel model and age
- Cost of the damage
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.