Fire damages rooftop solar panels on Falmouth house roof

What happened

On 8 April 2023, a fire broke out in solar panels on the roof of a house on Ambleside Drive in Falmouth, on Cape Cod. A person walking a dog noticed a small fire near the ridge line and called 911. Firefighters were sent to the scene around 10:45 AM. Falmouth Fire-Rescue initially dispatched three engines and a ladder truck, with additional apparatus sent later. Solar panels must be de-energised for firefighter safety, and a dry chemical extinguisher was used to put out the fire.

Crews checked whether the fire had reached the attic, and the fire service reported no extension into the structure. No injuries were reported. A representative of the solar company and the town electrical inspector attended the scene.

Contributing factors

The fire service believes the cause was a squirrel that built a nest and may have chewed electrical wire casing. The cause was still under investigation when the source was published. Fire-Rescue noted that solar panel fires present a challenge for firefighters because the panels must be de-energised, and that solar panel technology is changing continually, so power must be secured with care.

Lessons learned

1. Rooftop PV wiring and conduit should be inspected for rodent damage, and access points to roof voids and ridge areas should be sealed.
2. Installers and owners should give fire services clear, current isolation procedures for PV systems, because the fire service notes that solar panel technology is changing continually.
3. Fire crews should treat PV array fires as a distinct hazard and plan for de-energising the array before any water or extinguisher is applied near the wiring.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, worker safety and safe systems of work, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Source

capecod.com