A manhole explosion at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas triggered fires, widespread power outages, and a full campus evacuation on Wednesday night, forcing officials to cancel classes for the remainder of the week.

Emergency crews responded around 7 p.m. local time to what was initially reported as a gas leak. Firefighters discovered fire and smoke erupting from multiple manhole covers across campus, suggesting a possible underground electrical or gas-related explosion.

By 8:45 p.m., university officials issued an emergency alert ordering evacuations of multiple buildings. The power shutdown affected all campus facilities, including dormitories and academic buildings. University spokesperson Caitlynn Jeffries announced that students could leave early for Spring Break as repairs could take several days.

No injuries have been reported from the incident. The Lubbock Fire Department is currently investigating the cause, which could be attributed to electrical failure, gas leak, or other infrastructure issues.

The university has instructed students and faculty to avoid campus until further notice while emergency teams work to assess damage and restore power. Updates will be provided as the investigation continues and repairs progress.

This event remains under active investigation with local authorities coordinating response efforts and working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

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