A family in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, narrowly escaped injury when solar panels on their £600,000 newbuild home exploded into flames, destroying the roof. The incident, caught on Ring doorbell footage, occurred during a record-breaking heatwave. An off-duty firefighter rescued the family and two pets, while five fire crews battled the blaze. Investigations are ongoing, with overheating of the solar panels suspected as a cause.
A dramatic incident occurred on May 25 in Wellingborough , Northamptonshire , when a set of solar panels installed on the roof of a £600,000 newbuild home exploded into flames, completely destroying the roof while a family of four adults and one child remained inside, unaware of the danger.
The explosion, captured on a Ring doorbell camera, happened around 10:30 am on a Bank Holiday Monday as temperatures had already reached 22C, contributing to what residents described as a sudden and terrifying inferno. An off-duty firefighter, Robert Shipman, who was doing DIY at his nearby home, spotted a large cloud of smoke and rushed to the property. He banged on the door, alerting the family and helping them evacuate along with two other off-duty firefighters.
The family, who were on the first floor, did not realize the roof had been destroyed. Mr. Shipman also assisted in evacuating neighboring properties and managed to rescue two of the family's pets. He noted that the footage showed the roof instantly exploding with thick orange flames bursting through the loft hatch, a sight he had never witnessed before. At least four cars were damaged as burning tiles fell from the roof onto the vehicles.
Five fire crews from the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly, using an aerial appliance to extinguish the blaze. Initial investigations suggest the fire started accidentally, with weather conditions-a record-breaking heatwave seeing temperatures hit 35C across the UK-being considered a possible factor. The fire service has not ruled out the possibility that the solar panels overheated.
Police closed several roads in the area, including those near the A509, and advised the public to avoid the scene and keep windows closed due to smoke. The incident raises important questions about the safety of solar panel installations during extreme heat and the need for robust safety measures in new-build properties
Solar Panel Explosion House Fire Wellingborough Northamptonshire Heatwave Off-Duty Firefighter Newbuild Home Roof Fire Ring Doorbell Footage Accidental Fire
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