Factory’s Solar Panel Roof Set Ablaze

Firefighters rushed to a factory in Austria after its rooftop solar panels mysteriously caught fire.

The alert began when a routine police patrol car in Guessing, Burgenland State, spotted thick black smoke billowing from the factory building on 25th June.

Local fire chiefs said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “A Guessing company’s rooftop photovoltaic installation caught fire on Sunday morning (25th June) around 10am.

“The blaze was discovered by police officers who had been in the vicinity at that time.

“The officers immediately informed the fire brigades of Guessing, Tobaj and Punitz.

“Since the police officers emphasised that thick black smoke was rising, we had to assume that the whole building was on fire.|”

A firefighters’ drone, however, revealed that the blaze was restricted to a cell of six panels on the roof.

Speaking about the blaze firefighters said: “Breathing protection equipment and our aerial ladder were needed to tackle the blaze.

“We quickly managed to put the fire – which affected six panels – under control.

“Post-blaze extinguishing efforts were supported by the Pinkafeld Fire Brigade drone operators. They also ensured that there was no fire source elsewhere.”

The statement concludes: “No one was injured.”

Demand for eco-electricity gear has soared in Austria since energy costs peaked dramatically since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Green energy companies have been swamped with orders, local media reported.

Police are investigating the cause of the blaze but admit that, at the moment, they are baffled as to what could have caused it, including a faulty panel or possibly a short circuit in the wiring.