Huge explosion at Texas Tech University sends green flames shooting out of the ground in shock fireball

The Mirror US via MSN ^ | 03 13 2025 | Douglas Whitbread

[yesthatjallen]

A manhole explosion at Texas Tech University caused green flames to shoot from the ground before a massive blaze erupted from the ground.

Frightening footage revealed how the underground chamber caught alight before thick black smoke poured out amid a roaring fire. The incident on Wednesday led school officials to issue evacuation orders for several buildings and cancel classes for the rest of the week.

An alert sent to the campus community around 8:45 p.m. described the explosion as occurring at a substation but a later update said it was at a manhole. No injuries were reported, Lubbock Fire Rescue Capt. Jon Tunnell said. Later footage captured by local TV stations showed a heavy presence of firefighters on campus. It wasn't clear what might have caused the explosion.

SNIP

[Resolute Conservative]

Yep.

[Noumenon]

It wasn’t me!

[lowbridge]

"I used too much"

[Revel]

That’s what liberal Gas looks like.

[2nd Amendment]

Did Nadler let one go?

[clearcarbon]

"Copper - Certain copper compounds, especially copper(II) chloride or copper sulfate, burn with a green flame. The green color comes from copper ions emitting light in the green spectrum when heated."

Copper sulfate is sometimes used to clear sewer lines of tree roots.

[thecodont]

Green flame is interesting. From Grok:

Boron - When boron compounds, like boric acid or borax, are burned, they emit a bright green flame. This is often seen in flame tests or fireworks.

Copper - Certain copper compounds, especially copper(II) chloride or copper sulfate, burn with a green flame. The green color comes from copper ions emitting light in the green spectrum when heated.

Barium - Barium salts, such as barium chloride or barium nitrate, can also produce a green flame, though it’s often a paler or apple-green shade compared to boron or copper.

Thallium - This less common element burns with a green flame, but it’s highly toxic and rarely used outside of specialized settings.

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I’ve heard that’s what they soak those Duraflame logs in.

Someone else said you can throw handfuls of powdered Tide detergent on an open flame and watch the colors. I imagine there would be some borax in there providing the green color.