Solar panels hamper firefighters in warehouse blaze; Panels can’t be shut off

NJ.com reports:

More than 7,000 solar panels on the roof of a burning warehouse in Burlington County proved too much of a hazard for firefighters, local officials said today.

“We may very well not be able to save buildings that have alternative energy,” William Kramer, New Jersey’s acting fire marshall, said after Delanco Fire Chief Ron Holt refused to send his firefighters onto the roof of the 300,000-square foot Dietz & Watson facility, ablaze since Sunday afternoon.

Solar panels are particularly hazardous to firefighters for a number of reasons, according to Ken Willette, a division manager with the National Fire Protection Association.

“There is a possibility of electric shock because the electricity to the panels can’t be shut off,” he said, “and not having a clear path on the roof to cut a ventilation hole is another challenge.”

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http://www.nj.com/burlington/index.ssf/2013/09/dietz_and_watson_warehouse_fire_solar_panels_make_battling_blaze_much_harder_officials_say.html#incart_m-rpt-1