Solar Panels on Newburyport, Massachusetts Building Damaged by Fire

A fire in solar panels on the roof of a Newburyport industrial building Saturday morning caused over $2 million worth of damage.

Flames broke out in the 150 foot array of panels at around 10:35 a.m. on the roof of Bradford & Bigelow on Perkins Way in Newburyport, according to Chief Christopher J. LeClaire. Several employees inside were able to evacuate before firefighters arrived.

The fire sent plumes of black smoke into the air from the building inside an industrial park.

Firefighters from Newbury, West Newbury, Salisbury, Amesbury, Rowley, Merrimac, Seabrook, Portsmouth, and East Kingston were able to aggressively attack the fire and limit damage to the panels and roof. LeClaire said there was some water damage to the building.

There were no reported injuries. The fire was under control by 11:10 a.m., according to the chief.

“I would like to commend the professional and aggressive work done by our firefighters and mutual aid partners which prevented significant damage to the building,” LeClaire said. “Thanks to their quick work, we were able to contain the fire and rapidly extinguish the flames.”

The Newburyport Fire Department and State Police with the State Fire Marshal's office are investigating the cause of the fire.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH