Rooftop fire erupts on school campus in Granada Hills; students, parents report chaotic scene

GRANADA HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Students were evacuated Thursday morning as firefighters battled a rooftop fire on a school campus in Granada Hills.

The fire broke out just after 10 a.m. at John F. Kennedy High School on Gothic Avenue. The building where the fire erupted was empty due to construction, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Students were evacuated to the football field, but because the smoke was headed that way, they were evacuated again to the baseball field before being escorted to a parent pick-up location. All students were accounted for.

The fire was extinguished about 25 minutes later and no injuries were reported.

"We did have a significant roof fire, and all that insulation burned and had a large smoke column throughout the San Fernando Valley that people could see and were worried," said Erik Scott, public information officer with LAFD.

Classes finished early Thursday and students were dismissed just after 1 p.m.

It was after the fire was extinguished that things got out of control in the pick-up area, parents and students said.

"It was ridiculous. They call us to come and get our kids, but then tell us to get a slip to take them out, then they don't let you into the office to get the slip - they're crazy," said Rhonda, a parent.

LAUSD sent the following message to parents via email around 11 a.m.:

"A fire is occurring on our campus. The Los Angeles Fire Department has responded to the fire, and it now being contained. Students are safe and have been evacuated to the football stadium. Procedures are being implemented according to District policy."

When parents arrived at the school, they were met with blocked roads, little to no parking and students crammed behind a fence blocked by LAPD and not being released despite having a release slip.

Some students even resorted to jumping over the fence.

One parent told Eyewitness News that this was a minor situation, but she is concerned that such lack of planning may result in a disastrous outcome if a more serious event were to occur in the future.

"Los Angeles Unified will continue to work closely with its public safety partners to promote the safety and well-being of all students, families, and employees," said an LAUSD spokesperson.

It's unclear what caused the fire.