Residents near P.E.I. solar farm fire asked to evacuate scene
· Toronto Sun
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Residents near a solar power farm in Summerside, P.E.I., were asked to voluntarily evacuate the area on Monday after a fire started at a city-owned battery farm.
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“As a precaution due to potentially hazardous smoke coming from the active fire at the Summerside Sunbank solar farm, residents located within an approximately 500-metre radius of the site are being urged to evacuate the area at this time,” the Summerside Police Services posted on X.
Summerside police and firefighters responded to the fire at the Summerside Sunbank Solar/Battery Farm on Monday morning in the city’s west end.
Police say the fire department managed to get the blaze under control by mid-morning.
“The fire is currently contained, and emergency crews continue to actively manage and monitor the scene,” police said. “This evacuation is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to concerns surrounding smoke from the fire.”
Powering the city
The Sunbank, located on a 30-hectare property, is a solar array capable of producing over 21 megawatts of power for the city. The farm opened in 2024 and has a capacity of 21.6 megawatts.
Police asked any residents in the affected vicinity who chose not to evacuate to close windows and doors and avoid traveling through the area. The shelter-in-place order was given at about 7 a.m. local time.
The city also warned that some of the smoke emanating from the fire could be filled with toxic gasses.
The fire department said they would extend their stay as a precaution.
“(The) Summerside Fire Department will remain on scene throughout the day and into Tuesday, continuing to apply water to hot spots and closely monitor the site,” they said.