One firefighter was burned and another shocked by a solar panel while trying to put out a house fire on Monday afternoon in Durham, according to authorities.
Durham Fire Division Chief Bryan Baker said one firefighter had hand and arm burns, while the house's solar panel system shocked another firefighter.
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It took firefighters about two hours to put out the two-story house fire along Hillandale Road near Horton Road, according to the Durham Fire Department. The fire department said the fire displaced two people and their dog.
One person was home at the time of the fire around 1:20 p.m. Monday, and that person was able to get out, according to the fire department.
The fire department does not the cause of the fire as of Monday evening.
According to firefighters at the scene, dry and windy conditions made the fire harder to put out.
Drought conditions have been a problem across the state in 2026. State data shows that 77% of the state is in severe rought and 17% is in an extreme drought.
Sky 5 flew over the house fire on Monday afternoon.
Firefighters told WRAL News that several things involving the home's construction made it difficult to firefighters to put it out. Of some of the problems firefighters faced, the home had a lightweight roof with solar panels on top.
"That makes it unsafe to be on and unsafe to be under, especially with the weight of the solar panels," Baker said.
Baker said the home also had limited upstairs access, with only one way in or out.
It is unclear if the solar panels played a role in starting the fire and the cause of the fire is under investigation.