Several buildings at Texas Tech University in Lubbock were evacuated Wednesday night after an explosion in a manhole near a substation caused multiple fires on campus. Flames were seen shooting out of manholes, creating a dramatic scene that prompted emergency officials to respond.
The situation began just after 7 p.m. when reports of a gas leak near the campus surfaced. Firefighters arrived to find green flames erupting from a manhole, which raised immediate concerns. Lubbock Fire Captain Jon Tunnell stated during a press conference that it was too early to determine the cause of the unusual fire color.
The explosion occurred near Engineering Key, a central area of the campus, leading to evacuations in that vicinity. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. However, officials noted that the campus remained an active scene well into the evening.
As a result of the explosion, widespread power outages affected the entire campus and the nearby Texas Tech Health and Science Center. Power was shut down to facilitate repairs, and it was unclear how this would impact appointments at the health center.
While student halls were not evacuated, students were advised to stay away from campus if they were not already there. The university announced that it would close for the remainder of the week, coinciding with the start of Spring Break on Monday.
This incident has raised questions about safety and infrastructure on campus, and officials are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. The community is left waiting for updates as repairs and investigations continue.