An explosion in a manhole at Texas Tech University this week caused fires and power outages on the campus.
On Wednesday night, an alert sent to the campus community described the explosion as occurring at a substation, but a later update said it was at a manhole.
Caitlynn Jeffries, a public information officer, stated that the explosion occurred in a manhole near the engineering key in the central part of campus.
“This explosion did cause a power outage across Texas Tech University, including the Health Sciences Center,” Jeffries said.
“We did evacuate the engineering key and we’re asking that all public and unofficial personnel please avoid campus at this time.”
Texas Tech police and Lubbock Fire Rescue officials warned the general public to stay away from the campus as the situation remained active.
Multiple pictures and videos have since emerged showing the frightening scene on campus. A neon green substance rises from a manhole, gradually building until it explodes.
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VIDEO: Chemical-colored flames seen rising up from manholes on Texas Tech campus as evacuation continues. Full story here: https://t.co/he4h3OjKph pic.twitter.com/3641Zdw2rH
— KCBD NewsChannel11 (@KCBD11) March 13, 2025
An explosion at a substation has sparked chaos at Texas Tech, causing fires, power outages, and evacuations across parts of the campus.
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) March 13, 2025
Adding to the mystery, eerie green flames have been seen shooting from a manhole.
Officials have confirmed they are responding to multiple… pic.twitter.com/IOULjN2Qv7
Texas Tech is on fire. Well underneath it. pic.twitter.com/NiPWdVyuJZ
— Frijole (@frijole123) March 13, 2025
Lawrence Schovanec, the university’s president, said in an email later on that things were successfully handled.
“The fire was successfully extinguished Wednesday evening,” he said in the email.
No injuries were reported.
Texas Tech University Closes Campus Ahead of Spring Break After Explosion
An explosion inside a maintenance hole on the Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock set off fires and power outages as school officials had to issue evacuation orders for several buildings.
The explosion happened Wednesday evening at the Engineering Key section of campus.
Caitlynn Jeffries, a spokesperson for the university’s police department, stated power was shut down to the entire campus.
As a result of the explosion and fire, Texas Tech University’s campus will be closed on Thursday and Friday and all next week for spring break.
“You can go ahead and go home for spring break. We are closing school down for the next couple days,” Caitlynn Jeffries said.
