Solar panel overheating reportedly sparks room fire in Oyo house

What happened

A fire broke out in a room of a five-bedroom residential building at Oke-Boda, Asaka area of Awe, Oyo State, Nigeria, on Wednesday 11 November 2026. The Oyo State Fire Services Agency said the fire was reportedly caused by overheating of a solar panel system. Crews received a distress call at about 11.41 a.m. and found the first room on the right side of the building engulfed in flames. Firefighters deployed equipment, contained the blaze and prevented it spreading to other parts of the building.

No casualties were recorded. The crew returned to its station at about 1.41 p.m. The agency's preliminary findings were that overheating of the solar panel system ignited combustible materials in the affected room.

Contributing factors

According to preliminary findings by the fire agency, combustible materials in the affected room were ignited by the overheating solar panel system. The source does not report the cause of the overheating, the equipment make, the installation standard or the maintenance history.

Lessons learned

1. Home solar installations should be inspected regularly for overheating, loose connections and damaged cabling, particularly where equipment is fitted near combustible materials.
2. Combustible materials should be kept clear of inverters, batteries and wiring, and should not be stored in rooms housing solar equipment.
3. Buildings should have fire extinguishers fitted and occupants should be trained to use them early, and fires should be reported promptly with accurate location details.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Source

guardian.ng