Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, faced a major emergency on Wednesday night as an explosion in a manhole triggered fires across campus, leading to power outages, evacuations, and ultimately, the closure of the university.
Authorities, including the Texas Tech Police Department and Lubbock Fire Rescue, acted swiftly to contain the situation and ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
While no injuries have been reported, the incident has caused significant disruptions, leading the university administration to close the campus for the remainder of the week and extend the break into spring break. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
The Explosion and Its Immediate Aftermath
The emergency situation began around 7 p.m. on Wednesday when an explosion was reported in a manhole near the engineering key, a central area of Texas Tech’s campus. Witnesses reported hearing a loud blast, followed by visible flames and smoke in parts of the university.
Texas Tech Police Department’s Public Information Officer Caitlynn Jeffries confirmed that the explosion led to an immediate power outage across the university, including the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.
Emergency response teams were quickly deployed, and authorities ordered evacuations in affected areas, particularly around the engineering key.
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The presence of fire prompted concerns about further infrastructure damage, leading officials to request that the public and any unofficial personnel avoid the campus entirely. Lubbock Fire Rescue worked tirelessly to control the flames and prevent further spread.
Green chemical-colored flames seen emerging from manholes and other ground openings across Texas Tech tonight, as Campus authorities have ordered the evacuation of several buildings and sections of the University following some kind of explosion at a nearby electrical substation. pic.twitter.com/Z99TmQ6Da1
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 13, 2025
As a safety precaution, power and gas were shut down across Texas Tech and the Health Sciences Center to mitigate any risks of further fire outbreaks. While the blaze was successfully extinguished later in the evening, authorities remained vigilant, monitoring the area for any additional hazards.
University Response and Campus Closures
Following the incident, Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec issued a statement to the campus community, informing them of the severity of the situation and the necessary actions being taken. Schovanec confirmed that an explosion in an underground tunnel had caused a fire, which in turn resulted in widespread power outages.
To allow for a full assessment of campus infrastructure and to ensure safety, the university administration decided to close the campus for Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14. Additionally, all classes were canceled, and non-essential personnel were instructed to work remotely if possible.
The emergency notification system of Texas Tech was activated to keep students and faculty informed. An alert sent at 11:11 p.m. on Wednesday stated that power remained out across campus, but barricades were being lifted, and students were being permitted to return to their residence halls.
However, the administration cautioned against unnecessary movement around affected areas, particularly near the engineering key, which remained restricted due to ongoing safety inspections.
By Thursday morning, university officials confirmed that power had been restored to some parts of the campus. Despite this progress, the university remained closed for the rest of the week, and officials emphasized that students living on campus would receive additional updates regarding housing and dining arrangements.
Rescue crews continued atmospheric monitoring of underground utility vaults to detect any potential risks and assist university officials in identifying and mitigating hazards.
Investigations and Future Precautions
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with university officials and fire department personnel working together to determine what led to the underground blast.
Investigators are focusing on the condition of underground utility tunnels, gas lines, and electrical systems to identify any faults or vulnerabilities that could have contributed to the incident.
While manhole explosions are rare, they are not unheard of, especially in areas with aging infrastructure or heavy underground utility networks. Factors such as gas leaks, electrical malfunctions, or accumulated pressure from underground utility systems could be potential causes.
Authorities are conducting thorough checks of all underground tunnels, utility vaults, and electrical circuits to ensure that no further risks remain.
As Texas Tech University moves forward, officials will likely implement stronger safety protocols and conduct rigorous inspections of its infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future. The administration has assured students and faculty that their safety is the top priority and that additional measures will be taken to reinforce the security of the campus.
While the campus closure and disruptions may pose challenges, the swift response from emergency crews, university officials, and local authorities has helped prevent injuries and contained what could have been a much more devastating incident.
Students and staff will be updated as more information becomes available, and Texas Tech University will continue working toward restoring normal campus operations safely and efficiently.