Tunnel fire cuts power, Internet access at O-U

(Norman-AP) -- A fire in a utility tunnel early this morning cut power to ten buildings on the campus of the University of Oklahoma.

The school's Internet and e-mail services were also knocked out.

University spokesman Jeff Hickman says students are on winter break and the few classes that are being held aren't affected. He says the tunnels carry power, telephone, fiber optic and computer lines.

Norman firefighters were called to the fire just before 2:30 this morning and found the O-U field house filled with smoke. Power to the nearby tunnel was shut off and the fire extinguished.

Firefighters say the blaze was caused by an electrical short.

Hickman says crews are still assessing the damage.