Solar panels to blame for Rockford house fire, draws multi-department response
VIDEO/PHOTOS: Fire crews worked to contain a house fire that destroyed a portion of a solar panel array on Rockford’s east side on Wednesday afternoon.
Crews from North Park, Loves Park, Harlem-Roscoe, and Cherry Valley fire departments were called to the 4400 block of Pinecrest Road around 12:35 p.m.
Fire crews found smoke coming from the roof of the home. Investigators said it was started by the solar panel system.
ComEd was called to isolate the panels from the home’s electrical system. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it could spread.
Fire Chief Joel Hallstrom said, “We typically do not touch or manipulate the panels at all because its DC voltage. It’s dangerous for our firefighters. So, obviously, we extinguish the fire, we examine with thermal imagers to make sure there’s no extension. But, we don’t touch the panels at all to reduce that risk and make sure we don’t injure anybody.”
First responders blocked off the roadway in front of the house as they worked to contain the fire. No injuries were reported.