UC Berkeley explosion caused by power system failure

An explosion at UC Berkeley that resulted in at least one person being taken to the hospital and others being injured was caused by a power system failure, the university said Monday night.

The exact number of victims injured was not immediately known, but “a few” people were believed to have sustained minor injuries, UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof told The Times.

He said the explosion was reported about 6:30 p.m. on the north side of California Hall, in the middle of the sprawling campus.

Video footage and photos on Twitter showed dark clouds of smoke visible from Sproul Plaza and a fire burning in the background.

Someone on a loudspeaker could be heard saying: “This is the Police Department. Please exit campus,” according to a video posted on YouTube.

Mogulof said the entire campus was evacuated. The explosion came about two hours after a power outage was reported, he said.

ALSO:

Massive Rim fire nearly fully contained, officials report

Santa Monica jet crash: Crews set to reach probable victims tonight

NAACP official wants Coliseum chief to quit over Col. Klink comment

Twitter: @LAJourno

[email protected]