An unidentified noxious odor at Rosa Parks Elementary School in City Heights prompted a full evacuation of classrooms on Friday morning. The incident led to two individuals, one adult and one child, being transported to a local hospital for evaluation. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department crews, including a Hazmat team, responded to the scene but were unable to locate the source of the smell.
Key Takeaways
- Rosa Parks Elementary School was evacuated around 9 a.m. on Friday due to a "noxious odor."
- A total of 15 people were evaluated by medical personnel on site.
- Two individuals, an adult and a child, were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
- A Hazmat team investigated but could not identify the source of the odor.
- The school was declared safe for reentry by 1 p.m. the same day.
Emergency Response Initiated After Odor Reported
The situation began at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, when staff and students at Rosa Parks Elementary School reported a strong, unpleasant smell. According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), the odor was described as being similar to paint thinner.
School officials acted quickly, initiating safety protocols to move all students and staff out of the classrooms. The fire department was dispatched to the campus to assess the potential hazard. Given the unknown nature of the substance causing the odor, a hazardous materials (Hazmat) team was also called to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation.
Emergency responders established a perimeter around the school to ensure the safety of the surrounding community while they worked to identify the source of the smell. The primary focus was on ensuring the well-being of everyone on campus.
Standard Hazmat School Procedures
When an unknown substance or odor is reported in a school environment, emergency protocols are designed to be cautious. The immediate priorities are evacuating individuals from the potentially affected area, providing medical assessment for anyone showing symptoms, and deploying specialized teams like Hazmat to identify and neutralize any potential threat. This approach prioritizes student and staff safety above all else.
Students Relocated and Medically Assessed
While the investigation was underway, school administrators relocated all students to designated safe zones on campus. According to a message sent to parents, children were moved to the outdoor lunch arbor and the school auditorium. These locations provided fresh air and were deemed safe from the unidentified odor.
Medical personnel were present to evaluate anyone who reported feeling unwell. In total, 15 people were assessed by first responders. While most did not require further medical attention, two individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for a more detailed evaluation. Officials confirmed that one adult and one child were hospitalized out of an abundance of caution.
The school ensured that students were cared for during the disruption. A cold lunch was provided to all students in the temporary locations, and staff remained with them to maintain a calm and orderly environment.
The entire incident, from the initial report at 9 a.m. to the school being cleared for reentry at 1 p.m., lasted approximately four hours. During this time, emergency crews worked to ensure the campus was safe for students and staff to return.
Communication with Parents and Reunification Process
Rosa Parks Elementary School maintained communication with families throughout the incident. An official message was sent to parents, informing them of the situation and the precautionary measures being taken. The school reassured families that students were safe and supervised.
Recognizing the concerns of parents, the school also provided an option for early student pickup. Families who wished to take their children home were directed to a specific reunification point at the garden gate in front of the school. The process required parents to present an ID to ensure every child was released safely and to the correct guardian.
"As an option, if families would like to pick up their child, please come to the garden gate at the front of the school... Parents need to bring an ID card and wait in one line. Please be patient as this reunification process will take some time as we ensure that all students are safely reunified with their families. I want to reassure you that our staff and students are safe. Those who needed medical attention have received it."
The school's communication aimed to provide clear instructions while managing a complex logistical situation. The administration promised a full update later in the day, once the immediate priority of student safety and reunification was addressed.
Hazmat Investigation Concludes Without Finding Source
The specialized Hazmat team from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department conducted a comprehensive search of the school grounds and buildings. Using sensitive equipment, they attempted to locate the origin of the paint thinner-like smell. Despite their efforts, investigators were unable to pinpoint a specific source for the noxious odor.
After several hours of investigation and air quality monitoring, the Hazmat team determined that there was no lingering threat to the health and safety of students or staff. By 1 p.m., the SDFD officially cleared the school, declaring it safe for everyone to return to the classrooms.
The school had initially informed parents that a return to classrooms might not be possible until 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. The clearance from the fire department aligned with this timeline, allowing for a return to normal school activities for the remainder of the afternoon.