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Solar panel causes $40,000 in damage to a Lincoln Park home

[Duluth, MN] At approximately 2:02 p.m. the Duluth Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire in a single-family home located on the 2200 block of West 6^th Street. A person driving by the home noticed smoke coming from the roof and called 911. When crews arrived, they confirmed that smoke was showing from the outside of the home.  Duluth Police officers assisted the homeowner and her dog to evacuate the home prior to rescue crews arriving.

Fire crews conducted a primary search of the first and second level of the home. That resulted in an all clear. Simultaneously, crews accessed the attic where they found charred wood, dripping tar, and smoke. Ground ladders were used to access the roof and determine the source of the fire. It was determined that the fire was coming from an area of the roof where a solar panel was located. After shutting off power to the home, Minnesota Power was called on scene to de-energized the solar panels. Once the panels had been deenergized, crews removed the solar panels and began overhauling the attic.

Salvage was conducted to prevent water damage from water runoff on the second floor.

The solar panels have been determined to be the cause of the fire. The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office has determined this to be an accidental fire. Damage is estimated to be $40,000 to the structure and its contents.

Crews from Headquarters, Lincoln Park, and Spirit Valley responded to the call. The Duluth Police Department also provided traffic assistance during the call. Traffic was closed on a portion of 6th Street surrounding the home from approximately 2:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

No additional information is available at this time.

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