More than 2,500 people, including hundreds of students, have been evacuated from Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s inner west after solar panels went up in flames.
Six fire trucks and 24 firefighters rushed to the scene in Homebush, Sydney, at 12:15 p.m. on May 13 following reports of black smoke issuing from the building.
Firefighters used a ladder platform to attack the flames and were able to contain them within about 45 minutes.
“A swimming carnival was in progress at the centre at the time of the incident however all people were evacuated safely and there were no reported injuries,” FRNSW said.
“Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.”
NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson Adam Dewberry said there could be a number of reasons why the solar panels ignited.
“There is pretty extensive damage,” he said, AAP reported.
“It did burn free for a period of time but we were able to get on top and contain it.
“We’ve had hundreds of people safely evacuated with no injuries reported, so it’s a great outcome so far.”
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
DC Inverter: The Most Common Cause Of Solar Fires
While solar-related fires are rare, most solar panels installed by households in Australia use DC voltages, which can present serious fire risks.In Queensland, prior to 2015, the majority of solar-related fires were caused by a DC isolator.
Other possible factors of solar fires included electrical wiring faults and main switchboard faults.
The report noted that risks associated with solar PV systems can increase after severe storms or floods. The incident took place following a week of rainy weather in Sydney.
The risks of fire hazards can also increase if there is a lack of proper installation, maintenance, and regular inspection.
The report found a lack of standards and accreditation for battery storage installations to on-grid solar PV systems in Australia, which can increase risks of fire hazards.
