Fire chiefs praised their staff tonight after more than 50 firefighters and 11 fire engines “saved” a £70 Lidl distribution depot in Peterborough after solar panels on the roof caught fire. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue issued a statement via their Facebook page giving fulsome praise to “the quick actions of firefighters to get water on the fire; not an easy task that high up and with a roof that size!
“They saved the building and damage was contained to the roof”.
The statement added: “Fantastic work by our fire crews, officers, and control colleagues this afternoon.
“Eleven fire engines, the water carrier and aerial appliance tackled a fire involving solar panels on the roof of a distribution warehouse Waterworth Road, Alwalton, Peterborough.
“Approximately 15 lengths of hose were connected to pump water from an open water source to reach the roof of the building so crews could tackle the fire.
“Our control colleagues did a brilliant job too behind the scenes not only ensuring enough fire crews were sent to the scene, but also moving other crews around the county to ensure fire cover for other incidents that could have come in.”
The fire broke out at the depot next to the A1 just before 2pm.
Solar panels on the roof of the giant warehouse – which employs 400 people – caught fire.
The centre opened four years ago.
The 45,000 m² distribution centre spans an area equivalent in size to that of more than eight football pitches; it replaced smaller warehouse at Lutterworth.
The warehouse, which initially served 48 stores, uses a natural refrigerant system, which heats and cools the entire building.
Along with solar panels these generate 10 per cent of the total electricity required by the building.
Scenes from today’s fire at the Lidl distribution depot in Peterborough. At one stage some 60 firefighters were brought in to tackle – and contain – the fire after solar panels on the roof caught fire. PHOTOS: Terry Harris for CambsNews and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue
