Fashion Fair Mall solar panels catch fire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Crews are looking into the cause of a fire at a Northeast Fresno shopping center.

Flames broke out on the roof of Fashion Fair Mall on Shaw and Fresno at about 10:30 a.m. Monday. Employees in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory called 911 after smelling something burning and spotting smoke on the roof.

When crews with the Fresno Fire Department arrived, they saw black smoke showing from above the Michael Kors store and made their way to the roof.

"Once our crews arrived they basically got to the roof and found about 27 of about 170 solar roof panels were well involved and on fire," said Fresno Fire spokesman Koby Johns.

The fire department says the fire was under control in about 10 minutes, and damage was limited to the solar panels themselves.

No injuries were reported.

None of the businesses lost power, and they will remain open throughout the day.