New Bedford firefighters battle solar panel fire at Parallel Products

“On Tuesday afternoon at 1:20pm, the New Bedford Fire Department responded to 100 Duchaine Boulevard for a fire involving a large free-standing solar array with nearby exposures.

First arriving crews reported a fire burning underneath several solar panels and activated available service disconnect and power shutoff devices. Fire crews operated two hose lines to cool down the steel supporting structure and extinguished the fire below the solar panels.

An NBFD drone equipped with thermal imaging was used above and flown below the solar panels to observe any further fire extension. The drone operation was essential for firefighter safety as they did not have to operate in close proximity to the involved solar panels until representatives from the solar company arrived to provide technical assistance.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. The fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit with assistance from a City Wire/Electrical Inspector and determine to be accidental. NBPD and NBEMS also assisted on scene.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.