Sunlight reflected from a shed solar panel believed to have started a house fire in Thurnby Lodge

What happened

On 1 July 2018, a fire started in a wooden shed in a domestic garden on Havencrest Drive, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester. Ten fire crews attended after the alarm was raised at 1.31pm. The blaze spread up a wall and into the roof space of the house with the shed, and also damaged the neighbouring semi-detached home. Firefighters searched both houses using breathing apparatus and all occupants were accounted for. One resident was taken to hospital as a precaution for suspected smoke inhalation.

The fire service said the fire was caused by a solar panel on the roof of the shed. It is believed that sunlight shone onto the panel and was reflected onto the wood, which then ignited. The fire service reported 50 percent damage to the roof, fascia and soffits of the house with the shed, and 40 percent fire damage to its front porch. The other house had fire damage to external doors and windows.

The shed and its contents were destroyed. Crews left at 10.19pm. A re-inspection the next morning found no hot spots and the incident was closed.

Contributing factors

The fire service believes sunlight reflected from the solar panel onto the wooden shed and ignited the wood. The source does not describe the panel's size, mounting, installation standard or any maintenance history, and it does not report a formal investigation beyond that belief.

Lessons learned

1. A solar panel fixed to a timber outbuilding may reflect sunlight onto nearby wood, so reflection onto combustible surfaces should be considered as well as electrical faults.
2. Panels on sheds and other timber structures should be sited so that any reflected beam does not fall on dry timber or other combustible material.
3. After a fire that has entered a roof space from an outbuilding, a later check for hidden hot spots is needed before the incident is treated as closed.

Source

leicestermercury.co.uk