Fire at Tashkent Agrarian University: Authorities investigate solar panel link

Images from the scene and witness accounts indicate that the fire possibly originated from the roof with the solar panels. However, Yulduz Oripova, the press secretary of the Forestry Agency, dismissed the notion that the solar panels caused the fire. She stated that the agency’s building sustained minimal damage, primarily to the fourth floor and roof, as the fire spread from a neighboring building. According to Oripova, “If the fire had started from the solar panels, our building would have been completely destroyed. The fire did not start in our building.”

Oripova also clarified in an interview with Kun.uz that her earlier social media posts, in which she speculated the fire was intentionally set, were written in a moment of emotional stress. She later deleted the posts.

The solar panels, installed by the contractor Smart Solutions System LLC, were part of a project initiated in early 2023. The company, which specializes in equipment for measuring, monitoring, and testing, won the contract with a bid of 380 million UZS and provided a five-year warranty for the installation.

A special investigation team has been formed to determine the exact cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing, and experts are currently assessing the damage. While the solar panels remain one of the potential causes, the final determination will be made after a thorough review. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The fire has prompted authorities to launch a criminal investigation under Article 259, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which deals with violations of fire safety regulations.