Small Utility Fire at El Rodeo Elementary School Contained Quickly; No Damage to Classrooms, Campus

Beverly Hills, CA (January 5, 2026) – On the evening of December 30, 2025, a small electrical fire occurred in an exterior utility room at El Rodeo Elementary School. Thanks to the rapid response of the Beverly Hills Fire Department and the school’s advanced safety systems, the fire was quickly contained to a single area, and no injuries were reported.

The incident took place while Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) campuses were closed for winter break. The school’s sprinkler system activated immediately, helping to isolate the fire to a single area. There was no damage to classrooms or instructional areas.

In the days following the incident, BHUSD mobilized facilities and safety teams to conduct a thorough inspection of the entire El Rodeo Elementary School campus. This included:

• A comprehensive assessment of all classrooms and learning spaces
• Air quality testing to confirm a healthy environment post-incident
• Electrical inspections confirming power to all instructional areas
• Installation of temporary generators to ensure consistent and reliable power
• Continued coordination with Southern California Edison and the Beverly Hills Fire Department

“We are grateful for the swift response of our city’s first responders and proud of how quickly our teams worked to ensure the safety and readiness of the campus,” said Dr. Alex Cherniss, Superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. “All systems are operational, and El Rodeo Elementary School is fully prepared to welcome students back.”

BHUSD remains committed to transparent communication and the safety of every student and staff member and thanks the Beverly Hills Fire Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, and Southern California Edison for their coordinated response and continued partnership.

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