Durham firefighters were injured Monday afternoon while trying to put out a house fire.
The fire is at a home along Timberview Drive near Arborwood Drive. According to firefighters at the scene, dry and windy conditions made the fire harder to put out.
Other WRAL Top Stories
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.
Several Durham Fire Department fire trucks and firefighters responded to the scene.
Sky 5 flew over the house fire on Monday afternoon.
Hillandale Road was closed between Horton Road and Meadowcreek Drive as firefighters worked to put out the fire.
Firefighters told WRAL News that several things involving the home’s construction made it diffiult 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,” said division chief Bryan Baker.
Baker said the home also had limited upstairs access, with only one way in or out.
According to Baker, a firefighter had hand and arm burns. Baker said the house’s solar panel system shocked another firefighter. 
It is unclear if the solar panels played a role in starting the fire and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

source