Over 2,500 individuals, including numerous students, were evacuated from the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s inner west due to a fire outbreak in the solar panels.
Upon receiving reports of black smoke emanating from the building, six fire trucks and 24 firefighters rushed to the scene in Homebush, Sydney, at 12:15 p.m. on May 13.
The firefighters successfully contained the flames within approximately 45 minutes using a ladder platform.
Fortunately, all individuals, including those attending a swimming carnival, were safely evacuated with no reported injuries, according to FRNSW.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Related Stories
Adam Dewberry, a spokesperson for NSW Fire and Rescue, mentioned that the solar panels could have ignited due to various reasons, resulting in extensive damage.
He stated, “It did burn freely for a period of time, but we managed to contain it. We’ve successfully evacuated hundreds of individuals with no injuries reported, so it’s a positive outcome thus far.”
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, the Labor government is actively expanding solar panel manufacturing, with a recent $1 billion boost announced to enhance domestic production.
DC Inverter: The Most Common Cause Of Solar Fires
Although solar-related fires are uncommon, the majority of household-installed solar panels in Australia utilize DC voltages, which can pose significant fire risks.
Prior to 2015, the main cause of solar-related fires in Queensland was a DC isolator.
Other potential factors contributing to solar fires include electrical wiring faults and main switchboard faults.
The report highlighted that risks associated with solar PV systems could escalate after severe weather events like storms or floods, as seen following a week of rainy weather in Sydney.
The lack of proper installation, maintenance, and regular inspection can also increase the risk of fire hazards associated with solar PV systems.
The report also pointed out the absence of standards and accreditation for battery storage installations to on-grid solar PV systems in Australia, further increasing fire hazard risks.
This article includes contributions from AAP.
