Suspected solar panel fault sparks roof fire at Ombersley home

What happened

A fire believed to have started in a solar panel gutted the roof space and upstairs rooms of a semi-detached house on Woodhall Lane, Ombersley, reported on 1 August 2020. The blaze left a hole in the roof and damaged the bathroom and both bedrooms at the top of the house. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was called at around 11.30am. Four crews and around 20 firefighters attacked the fire, using an aerial ladder platform, and contained it. A neighbour called 999 and the rapid response prevented the fire spreading to the adjoining house. The road to Uphampton was closed under a police cordon at both ends.

Contributing factors

Neighbours and the owner said the fire was caused by an electrical fault in an external solar panel. The fire service's investigation into the root cause was ongoing when the report was published.

Lessons learned

1. Rooftop solar installations should be inspected for electrical faults, damaged cabling and connectors, particularly where a fire is suspected to have started in the array.
2. Roof voids beneath solar arrays should be fitted with suitable detection so that a fire is spotted early.
3. Householders and neighbours should know how to call emergency services quickly and how to isolate the system where it is safe to do so.
4. Fire services should be told where PV systems are installed so that crews can plan for isolation and roof access.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, detection and monitoring, electrical protection and isolation, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Source

worcesternews.co.uk