Credit: AP

LUBBOCK, Texas — An explosion at a substation caused widespread power outages across Texas Tech University and its Health Sciences Center on Wednesday night, according to the university’s emergency communication system.

An initial alert was sent to students at 7:12 p.m., informing them of a power outage affecting the campus. About 20 minutes later, another alert stated that the Engineering Key area was being evacuated due to a gas odor.

At 8:42 p.m., a follow-up alert identified an explosion at a substation as the cause of the power outages. However, at 9:42 p.m., another update from the Texas Tech Police Department revealed that an explosion at a manhole was also contributing to the ongoing outages and affecting multiple locations on campus.

Witnesses on campus shared videos showing flames coming from several manholes, including one clip that captured green flames shooting aggressively from a manhole. The cause of the fires remains unclear, and Texas Tech PD has stated that more information will be provided as it becomes available.