BY ISABEL EVERETT
A solar panel fire at a home in New Lambton has prompted a warning for home owners to ensure panels are installed by a licensed installer.
Just after 12.30pm on Wednesday, Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Lambton
and Newcastle Fire Stations arrived at the dwelling on Addison Road, New Lambton following
reports of a house fire.
Crews arrived on scene to find a solar panel isolation switch had caught fire on the roof of a home.
Firefighters worked quickly and were able to
extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading into the roof.
NSW Ambulance were also in attendance however no injuries have been
reported.
Superintendent Graham Kingsland from the Fire Investigation and Research
Unit said it was important to take steps to ensure solar panels were as safe as
possible.
"Over the last five years we have seen solar panel related fires
increase five-fold. It is not uncommon to see solar panels cause house and building
fires," he said.
“By ensuring solar panels are installed by a licensed installer, and are
well maintained by a professional, you can prevent a tragedy”.
For more information on solar panel safety, visit the Fair Trading website.
