School fire ‘started by roof solar panels’
A HUGE blaze at a primary school was ‘most likely’ caused by a faulty electrical solar panel.
Firefighters were called to Westleigh Methodist Primary School in Leigh after flames were seen coming from the building just before 11am on Sunday.
Upper levels of the Westleigh Lane building were ‘well alight’ at the height of the fire.
A statement on the school’s Facebook page said it will be closed until further notice.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) bosses believe the blaze was caused by electrical solar panels on the roof of the hall at the school.
The fire originated where the panels are embedded. It is thought there was a fault with one of the devices.
An eyewitness said they saw four solar panels on fire.
Station manager Chris Roberts said: “A fire investigation officer examined the fire burn patterns and determined that the source of the fire was at roof level.
“The fire started on the right hand side of the roof, where a number of solar panels were in place – causing the fire to spread resulting the whole roof being ablaze.
“The pattern of the fire burn would also conclude that the fire’s origin was in the vicinity of the solar panels.
“Examination on the inside of the main hall found charring on the top of the wooden beams which were situated under the roof of the building which would only occur if the fire was above the beam.
“Due to the intense heat of the fire, wiring from the panels was burnt away so we are unable to determine if or why an electrical fault occurred.
“An eyewitness account that was given to the emergency services when the fire first started stated that they saw approximately four solar panels on the roof of the school on fire.
“These panels were located on the right-hand side of the roof area. This account also supports the outcome of our investigation in determining the area of origin where the fire started and in identifying any materials that could possible cause a fire to start.”
A school statement read: “Due to the fire the whole of the school building will be closed until further notice. This includes preschool, Honey Bears Nursery and the Startwell Centre.”