On August 20th, 2023 at 11:48 am, a solar panel fire erupted at an Office Depot in Antioch, prompting immediate evacuations and conjuring plumes of smoke visible for miles. According to Contra Costa News, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District promptly responded to the 5800 block of Lone Tree Way upon getting reports of the fire. Both Office Depot and PetSmart, the adjacent business, were evacuated as a cautionary measure. No animals were harmed during the ordeal.
Eyewitness accounts shared on Emergency Spotlight - Antioch, CA Facebook page paint a vivid picture of how swiftly events transpired. Amidst the turmoil, the collective efforts of store employees, customers, and emergency personnel ensured the protection and safe relocation of the animals at PetSmart.
ConFire responded to a rooftop fire at Office Depot in Antioch this afternoon involving multiple solar panels. Office Depot sustained significant damage during the fire and will be closed until repairs are made. Petsmart was temporarily evacuated during the incident. pic.twitter.com/Cb7fRKQUeb
— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) August 20, 2023
Road closures soon followed as the Antioch Police Department intervened, managing the traffic and securing the area, striving to maintain the safety of onlookers and responders on the scene. As crews made their way to the Office Depot rooftop, it became apparent that solar panels were the source of the raging inferno, spreading across the building and demanding immediate action. Fortunately, the firefighting teams managed to extinguish the flames in a matter of minutes, according to KRON4 News.
Although Office Depot suffered significant damage due to the fire, PetSmart, on the other hand, emerged with minimal impact to its structure. As a result, the office supply store will remain closed until further notice as repairs and assessments are completed, while PetSmart was able to relatively quickly resume its operations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Captain George Laing of Con Fire emphasized the challenges faced by firefighters in such situations. Laing cautioned that solar panels continue to generate electricity even after the power supply has been cut, posing an increased risk to responders battling the blaze.
