Explosion at Texas Tech University manhole results in fires, power failures, and class suspensions
A blast on Texas Tech University's campus in Lubbock sent flames and power cuts blazing through the area, prompting evacuations from numerous buildings and the cancellation of classes for the remainder of the week.
At around 8:45 p.m., a campus-wide alert advised of the explosion taking place at a substation, although a subsequent update reported it emanated from a manhole. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, as confirmed by Lubbock Fire Rescue Captain Jon Tunnell.
Social media and local TV stations shared videos depicting firefighters swarming the campus and smoke billowing from at least one manhole cover.
The source of the explosion remained uncertain.
Texas Tech University police department spokesperson Caitlynn Jeffries announced that power would be disrupted across the entire campus until repairs were completed. As a result, she suggested students take a break for Spring vacation, stating, "You can go ahead and go home for Spring break. We are closing school down for the next couple days."
The school also suggested faculty and staff work remotely until further notice.
Lubbock Fire Rescue received a potential gas leak call around 7 p.m. local time, discovering "multiple manhole covers with smoke and fire emanating from them," according to Tunnell.
He further noted, "This remains an active scene as crews continue to address Texas Tech University's ongoing emergency."
With over 40,000 students and occupying 1,800 acres in West Texas, Texas Tech University is a significant educational establishment.
- Texas Tech University students, taking advantage of the early Spring break announcement, began to travel home as a mitigating measure against the ongoing campus emergency.
- In the aftermath of the unusual fires sweeping through the campus, authorities have intensified efforts to investigate the cause, focusing particularly on the manhole area where the initial explosion occurred.
- As students nestle in the comfort of their homes and faculty and staff work remotely, the extensive repairs to the campus infrastructure are underway in an attempt to restore the usual functionality to the significant educational establishment in Lubbock, Texas.
