Texas Tech University in Lubbock has announced the closure of its campus on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14, following an explosion in an underground tunnel system that led to multiple fires, power outages, and evacuations. The closure extends into the following week for the scheduled spring break, allowing time for safety inspections and repairs.
Explosion Sparks Campus Fires and Power Outages
The incident began around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, when an explosion occurred in a manhole near the Engineering Key, located in the central part of campus on Boston Avenue. The explosion resulted in widespread power outages, affecting Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center (HSC). Emergency responders, including Lubbock Fire Rescue, Texas Tech Police, and utility crews, were quickly dispatched to assess the situation and contain the fires.
According to Lubbock Fire Rescue Captain John Tunnell, firefighters discovered multiple manhole covers emitting smoke and flames, suggesting the explosion had affected the university’s underground utility tunnels. Emergency crews worked through the night to mitigate the hazard, and by late evening, the fires were successfully extinguished.
To ensure safety, university officials decided to shut down the entire campus. Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec issued an email to the campus community, confirming the temporary closure and urging non-essential personnel to work remotely.
“All classes are canceled, and all non-essential employees, including those at the Texas Tech University System Administration, should work remotely if possible. Human Resources will provide additional guidance regarding work arrangements,” Schovanec wrote.
While campus residence halls remain open, students were encouraged to delay their departure until daylight on Thursday for safety reasons. Students needing assistance or alternative accommodations were advised to contact university housing services. Faculty and staff were instructed to stay off campus unless otherwise directed.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts Underway
At a press conference late Wednesday, Texas Tech Police and Lubbock Fire Rescue urged the public to stay away from the affected areas as investigations continue. Officials are still determining the exact cause of the explosion and fires, though initial reports suggest they were linked to the university’s extensive underground tunnel system, which houses various utilities.
Power to the entire campus was shut down as a precaution, and utility companies, including Lubbock Power & Light and Atmos Energy, worked overnight to restore electricity and assess damage. By late evening, authorities confirmed that there were no reported injuries.
The emergency prompted Texas Tech’s emergency operations center to activate a Tech Alert notification at around 7:30 p.m., informing the campus community of the power outage. Subsequent alerts advised students and staff to evacuate the Engineering Key and avoid the affected areas.
Community Response and Support
Texas Tech officials expressed their gratitude to emergency responders and local authorities, including Lubbock Fire Rescue, Lubbock Police Department, and utility providers, for their swift response in ensuring campus safety.
“We extend our deepest thanks to our emergency response teams and all city officials who assisted in managing this situation,” Schovanec said.
While the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, Texas Tech reassured students and staff that thorough inspections would be conducted before reopening the campus.
For now, students have been granted an early start to their spring break, with classes resuming the week after. University officials will continue to provide updates as more details emerge regarding the cause of the explosion and necessary repairs.
