Solar panel isolation switch overheats and starts house fire
May 2025Published 28 Sept 2026
Estimated damage ModelledFigure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidenceout of service for •• daysSee the figure: 14 days freeFull estimateHow? Know the real figure?
- Where
- House roof on Corneville Road, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent
- What
- Solar panel isolation switch overheats and starts fire
- Injuries
- None reported
- Response
- Three appliances with breathing apparatus and aerial ladder
- Cause
- Overheating of a solar panel isolation switch
What happened
Fire and rescue services attended a house fire in the roof on Corneville Road, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent. Three appliances used breathing apparatus and an aerial ladder platform to extinguish the fire. The fire was accidental and caused by a solar panel isolation switch overheating. No injuries were reported.
Contributing factors
Overheating of a solar panel isolation switch.
Lessons learned
- Overheating solar panel isolation switches on houses can ignite roof fires, so operators should inspect DC isolators and connections for heat signs.
- Fire services must isolate and verify residential solar PV as safe before entry, as DC circuits remain live after AC isolation.
- Signs of heat at a DC isolator mean the circuit must be taken out of use until the device and connections are checked.
Not yet known
- Solar panel isolation switch model and age
- Duration of supply interruption
- Cost of repairs and reinstatement
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.