QUINCY, MASS. (WHDH) – Some solar panels paired with extreme heat may be to blame for a Quincy house fire, according to the Quincy Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to a Quincy home Friday afternoon after reports of a fire. The fire department quickly responded and hid the damage to the house on the roof.

“Everything was controlled by the solar panel, the smoke was under the eaves of the roof, and there was all the smoke right under the panel,” said Quincy Fire Department Deputy Chief Tim Burchill.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the Fire Department said that one of the solar panels on the roof of the house exploded and it is possible that a solar flare is to blame.

“This is the first episode we’ve had in this weather,” Burchill said. “I’ve heard all over the country that in high heat, solar panels have issues. So this might be our first and hopefully it might be our last.”

Firefighters said there were no people at the time, but they rescued at least two dogs in an air-conditioned shed behind the home.

“The dogs are in good condition. There are some air conditioning units provided in their smaller buildings,” Burchill said.

Firefighters used cold towels and drank copious amounts of water while battling the blaze in the intense heat. A firefighter was taken to the hospital due to suspected heat exhaustion.

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