Partial collapse of roof following Fleet flat fire

The roof of a block of flats in Fleet was destroyed after a fire involving solar panels.

Crews were called to the terraced block in Church Crookham at just after 3pm on Wednesday (13 July) and found the roof well alight.

Firefighters from Basingstoke, Fleet, Hartley Wintney, Odiham and St Mary’s were in attendance and used an aerial ladder and jets to put the fire out.

Group manager Craig Gregory said:

“The most likely cause of this fire was an electrical fault connected to the solar panels on the roof.

“Our crews worked really hard in very hot and challenging conditions to quickly put the fire out and prevent further damage.

“Sadly, there was quite significant damage caused to one of the flats, with two further flats also damaged, and a partial collapse of the roof.”

The stop message was received shortly before 5pm.

Firefighters are due to return to Newton Drive on Thursday to carry out community safety activity in the area.