Update: This story has been updated to reflect the latest information from the afternoon of March 13.
Emergency officials reported an underground fire and explosion at a power substation as the cause of multiple power outages and evacuations on the Texas Tech University campus, Wednesday night.
No injuries have been reported, according to officials with Lubbock Fire Rescue and the university president's office.
In an announcement Thursday afternoon, university President Lawrence Schovanec said the Texas Tech Fire Marshal is investigating the situation with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine the root cause and assess damage. The release said there is no evidence of any criminal activity.
Campus remains closed, with nonessential employees directed to work remotely. Students living in residence halls have been permitted to retrieve items before leaving for spring break. Students who had coordinated to remain on campus are allowed to stay. University Student Housing will arrange alternatives for students who have lost power at their residence halls.
Texas Tech has launched a web page to address questions from students, families, and university employees.
Officials at Texas Tech University first issued notice of multiple power outages on campus just after 7 p.m. Lubbock Fire Rescue units responded at this time to a reported gas leak at the 900 block of Boston Avenue.
Around 30 minutes later, it was reported that the Engineering Key was being evacuated for a “gas odor.”
Students on campus reported seeing large plumes of smoke and green flames from manholes near the Engineering Key. Lubbock Fire Rescue later confirmed that “active fire and smoke” was seen issuing from multiple manholes on campus.
Later reports confirmed the power outages as “widespread,” affecting the university and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
The TTUHSC campus asked students and staff to vacate its Lubbock campus at 8:35 p.m.
The Texas Tech library announced at 9:15 p.m. that it was closed “due to the ongoing situation.”
Texas Tech announced just before 10:15 p.m. that the campus will be closed on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14. Spring break, which was initially scheduled to begin Monday, will now begin “immediately,” as the power on campus will be shut down to begin repairs.
Students, faculty and staff have been advised to work remotely, and students in campus residence halls have not yet been evacuated and are encouraged to stay in place until Thursday morning. Students in need of assistance or alternate accommodations have been provided contact with university staff.
In a statement late Wednesday night, university President Lawrence Schovanec said campus infrastructure is being “thoroughly investigated” as power is brought back on line.
In the meantime, officials are asking the public to avoid the campus.
Power outages have impacted the broadcast signal and digital streams for KTTZ PBS TV channels, KCOS PBS El Paso, NPR at 89.1FM in Lubbock, 90.1FM in San Angelo, and the KTTZ HD 2 and 3 streams. Broadcasting and streaming will be intermittent while maintenance is ongoing.
This is a developing story.