An explosion on the Texas Tech University campus in Lubbock on Wednesday night caused fires, power outages, and chaos as emergency crews scrambled to contain the situation. The blast, initially reported at a substation but later confirmed to have occurred at a manhole, led to an immediate shutdown of campus operations, with officials canceling all classes for the remainder of the week.
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
The incident, which took place around 8:45 p.m., triggered evacuation orders and a flurry of emergency alerts warning students and faculty of the developing crisis. While no injuries have been reported, videos shared on social media depict flames and thick smoke billowing from multiple manholes, with firefighters battling the blaze late into the night.
Lubbock Fire Rescue Captain Jon Tunnell confirmed that emergency crews first responded to reports of a possible gas leak around 7 p.m. Upon arrival, they found “multiple manhole covers with smoke and fire issuing from them.” However, the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.
Texas Tech Police Department spokesperson Caitlynn Jeffries announced that power will be shut off across the entire campus while repair efforts are underway. In a message to students, Jeffries advised them to “go ahead and go home for Spring Break,” as the school would be closing for at least the next few days. Faculty and staff have also been instructed to work remotely if possible.
The Texas Tech campus, which spans 1,800 acres and serves over 40,000 students, is now grappling with the aftermath of the explosion as officials assess the full extent of the damage. Authorities continue to investigate what led to the incident, while utility crews work to restore power and prevent further disruptions.
For now, Texas Tech students are left with an unexpected—and chaotic—early start to their Spring Break, as officials work to ensure the safety of the campus before reopening.
