An explosion rocked the Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock on Wednesday, March 12, triggering fires, power outages, and prompting school officials to evacuate several buildings and cancel classes for the remainder of the week. The incident, initially reported as a substation explosion in a campus-wide alert at 8:45 p.m., was later clarified as occurring at a manhole. As per media reports, Lubbock Fire Rescue Capt. Jon Tunnell confirmed no injuries were reported.
“This is an emergency notification from the Texas Tech PD. An explosion at a manhole has affected multiple locations on the Texas Tech campus, causing widespread power outages to both TTU and TTUHSC. The Engineering Key has been evacuated. We ask that the public avoid campus,” said a post from Texas Tech University.
Spring Break starts immediately
The college announced that Spring Break at the University set to start from Monday has been preponed and starts immediately. “TechAlert! Texas Tech University will be closed on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14. Spring Break for students, originally scheduled to start Monday, will begin immediately. Check email for more information,” said a post.
Social media and local news footage captured a significant firefighter presence on campus, with flames and smoke billowing from at least one manhole cover. The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
As per a report in ABC News, Caitlynn Jeffries, a spokesperson for the university’s police department, announced that power would be cut to the entire Lubbock campus during repairs. “You can go ahead and go home for Spring break. We are closing school down for the next couple days,” Jeffries stated, adding that faculty and staff should work remotely until further notice.
Texas Tech, located on an 1,800-acre campus in West Texas, serves over 40,000 students. The Texas Tech Police Department issued an emergency notification, stating: “An explosion at a manhole has impacted multiple locations on the Texas Tech campus, causing widespread power outages to both TTU and TTUHSC. The Engineering Key has been evacuated. We ask that the public avoid campus.”