Granada Hills School Rooftop Fire Sparks Chaos｜Students and Parents Describe Confusion During Evacuation

A rooftop fire at John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills triggered a chaotic Thursday morning as students, teachers and parents scrambled through multiple evacuations and unclear pick-up procedures.

🔥 Rooftop Fire Erupts at JFK High School

The fire was reported shortly after 10 a.m. on Gothic Avenue. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the affected building was unoccupied due to ongoing construction, which helped prevent injuries.

Firefighters quickly contained the flames, fully extinguishing the fire within 25 minutes. All students and staff were confirmed safe.

🚨 Multiple Evacuations Due to Heavy Smoke

Students were first directed to the football field, but shifting smoke forced a second evacuation to the baseball field.

From there, students were escorted to designated pick-up locations as part of the school’s emergency procedures.

LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott noted that the burning roof insulation created a “large smoke column visible across the San Fernando Valley,” causing concern among nearby residents.

Classes were dismissed early, shortly after 1 p.m.

😣 Parents, Students Report Disorganized Pick-Up Process

Although the fire itself was handled quickly, parents say confusion escalated after the evacuation.

Blocked roads, limited parking, and inconsistent instructions caused frustration:

• Parents were told they needed release slips to pick up their kids
• Some were not allowed into the office to obtain those slips
• Students were held behind fences and not released despite having their forms
• LAPD controlled access, creating bottlenecks

Some students even jumped the fence to reach their parents amid the chaos.

One parent described the situation as “ridiculous,” explaining that directions kept changing and staff seemed overwhelmed.

Another parent warned that if a minor fire resulted in such disorganization, a more serious emergency could lead to a dangerous outcome.

📢 LAUSD Responds

LAUSD sent an email to families around 11 a.m., confirming:

• A fire was occurring on campus
• LAFD was on scene and containing the fire
• Students were evacuated safely according to district procedures

The district later stated it will continue working with public safety partners to ensure the safety of students, families, and staff.

As of now, the cause of the rooftop fire remains under investigation.