Texas Tech University closes early after manhole explosion
An underground explosion at Texas Tech University that caused “widespread power outages” is under investigation, according to university officials.
The Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock remains closed after a manhole explosion apparently sparked a series of fires around campus Wednesday night.
Video shows green flames coming up through a manhole cover near the engineering key in the central part of campus.
Lawrence Schovanec, the university’s president, said in an email shared with the campus community late Wednesday night that an explosion “occurred in a tunnel, causing a fire.” Schovanec said in the email that the fire had been extinguished and that the cause remains under investigation.
Lubbock Fire and Rescue said in a post on X Thursday morning that they would remain on the scene in a support role until all potential hazards are mitigated and said it was “conducting atmospheric monitoring of subsurface utility vaults.”
The department reported that there were no injuries from the explosion Wednesday.
Texas Tech campus shut until after spring break
Schovanec’s email stated that the fire caused power outages and caused the university to shut down electricity and gas across both the Texas Tech and Health and Sciences Center campuses in Lubbock to keep the fire from spreading.
An emergency alert on the university’s website Thursday stated that while the power has been restored to some areas of campus, the university remains closed Thursday and Friday and that students who live on campus will receive additional communication regarding housing and dining accommodations.
Schovanec announced the closure for the remainder of the week in the Wednesday email and the school is scheduled to start its spring break on Saturday.
