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Solar PVUnited KingdomEIR-1530

Electrical fault causes solar panel fire in Wickford house

May 2023Published 28 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectrical
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
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out of service for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hidden
Where
London Road, Wickford, detached house
What
Roof space fire in loft electrical cupboard
Response
Fire service called at 5.13pm, fire out by 8.14pm
Cause
Electrical fault
Outcome
Residents left safely, closed door limited spread

What happened

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at a detached house on London Road, Wickford on 15 May 2023. The fire was in the roof space, with the source identified in an electrical cupboard in the loft connected to solar panels on the roof. The fire was reported at 5:13pm after residents heard smoke alarms. Firefighters extinguished the fire by 8:14pm. The cause was stated as an electrical fault. Residents had closed the door to the electrical cupboard, which limited the spread of smoke and fire.

Contributing factors

Electrical fault in the cupboard connected to the rooftop solar panels.

Lessons learned

  1. Ensure electrical connections for rooftop solar installations are inspected and maintained to reduce the risk of faults.
  2. Working smoke alarms allow early detection and evacuation in properties with solar panels.
  3. Keeping internal doors closed can help contain fire and smoke to the room or area of origin.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, detection and monitoring, emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Exact nature of the electrical fault
  • Age and model of the solar panels
  • Extent of damage and repair cost

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

Source

essex-fire.gov.uk

Other entries that name Wickford

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

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