LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - The fires on Texas Tech campus caused power outages across campus on Wednesday night, affecting buildings, facilities and dorms. Even students who weren’t near the explosion were affected. Jasper Shoesmith, a freshman who lives at Chitwood Hall, couldn’t believe what was happening when he came back from work.

A series of fires and a manhole explosion led officials to shut down the campus and send students home early for spring break.