Solar panels at the Strawberry Fields estate in Addlestone are to be disconnected after second fire in two years
Two housing associations have announced they are disconnecting and decommissioning solar panels from a number of their properties following a recent fire.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were called to a fire on the afternoon of Saturday 11 May at a residential property on Henrietta Close, Addlestone. A statement from SFRS said that “at the height of the incident, 12 fire engines and additional specialist vehicles were in attendance. Multiple flats were affected.
“All residents were accounted for, and crews worked swiftly to bring the fire under control and prevent further spread.”
A local resident told SurreyLive: “It was horrific. Many homes are gone. The fire crews from Surrey were here all day. The fire got extreme very fast.”
This incident comes after a similar fire occurred in 2024 on the same development managed by Accent Housing where the fire appeared to centre on the solar panels fixed to the buildings’ rooves. Residents have since been expressing their own safety concerns and have called upon Accent and PA Housing, who also manage properties in the area, to examine the safety of the solar panels.
One resident told SurreyLive, “Obviously, all of us with solar panels are all feeling a bit nervous. I felt like last year's fire should have been a warning enough, they should have done more.”
After the fire PA housing announced it would disconnect and eventually remove solar panels as a precaution. Accent will also decommission solar panels.
In a statement, local councillor, Scott Lewis confirmed that "PA Housing and Accent have acted swiftly and started to remove/blackout the solar panels from their properties. But this has raised many more questions that residents are trying to get answers to.”
"I have also been working with our local MP, Dr Ben Spencer, who has been engaging with both PA Housing and Accent to make sure residents’ concerns are heard. Prioritising safety is essential for ensuring resident well-being and promoting a positive living environment."
With regards to the cause of the most recent blaze, a spokesperson for SFRS said: “As investigations into the recent fire are still ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the cause at this stage.”