Overview
- Officials said a widely shared image purporting to show the school on fire was fake and generated by AI, and they emphasized that students and staff were safe.
- The Bellaire Fire Department reported no visible exterior fire and later found a small amount of smoke near a locker area tied to the ventilation system.
- KPRC reported the smoke was linked to a refrigerant leak confirmed by an HISD HVAC technician, with Houston Fire Department Hazmat advising the area remain vacant until repairs.
- Classes were cleared to resume by late morning with no injuries reported, and the scene was turned over to Houston ISD maintenance.
- Bellaire police said there is no open investigation and deferred to HISD for comment, while Houston Public Media said it could not independently verify the circulating image.