The incident occurred on the evening of December 30, 2025, while BHUSD campuses were closed for winter break. According to the District, the school’s sprinkler system activated immediately, helping isolate the fire to a single exterior area. The Beverly Hills Fire Department responded swiftly and brought the situation under control.
In the days following the incident, BHUSD facilities and safety teams conducted a comprehensive inspection of the El Rodeo campus to ensure it was fully safe and operational ahead of students’ return. 
Left to Right: Beverly Hills Fire Department, Sean O’Connor (Command Center Manager, BHUSD), Will Karrat (Executive Director, Maintenance, Operations, and Construction, BHUSD)
“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.”
District officials emphasized that the fire was limited to the exterior utility space and did not impact student learning environments. BHUSD also noted its continued coordination with Southern California Edison and the Beverly Hills Fire Department as part of follow-up safety and infrastructure checks.
The update follows an earlier notification to families and residents and reflects the District’s stated commitment to transparency and campus safety. BHUSD thanked the Beverly Hills Fire Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, and Southern California Edison for their coordinated response and ongoing partnership.
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