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Explosion on Campus Ends Cal Football Practice Early; McCain & Injury Updates

An explosion on campus - near California Hall - occurred around 6:30pm Monday, which was preceded by a campus-wide power outage that began around 4:45pm. Per the Daily Cal, the explosion caused an unconfirmed number of injuries, leading UC officials to declare an emergency and order an evacuation of the campus around 6:40pm.

By Eugene Choo
Fire trucks outside California Hall, with smoke from the explosion overhead
Fire trucks outside California Hall, with smoke from the explosion overhead
Alice Oh (Daily Californian)

Let's hope that everyone involved in the incident is safe, and that the injured are able to fully recover.  Head over to the Daily Cal for details on the event and ongoing updates:

- Story & Updates

An explosion on the UC Berkeley campus near California Hall injured several people, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency and order an evacuation of the campus around 6:40 p.m. Monday evening.

Three people were treated on scene for injuries and one was transported to a hospital with minor burn injuries, according to campus spokesperson Dan Mogulof. By 9 p.m., crews had freed the 20 people who had been stuck in elevators as a result of an earlier power outage, Mogulof said.

The campus-wide outage, which began around 4:45 p.m., preceded the explosion. The explosion came from an underground vault beneath a road by California Hall near the center of campus, said UCPD Sgt. Andrew Tucker.

* * *

The campus-wide power outage meant that there was no electricity at Memorial Stadium during football practice, which was scheduled to run from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.  The team and staff had no knowledge of the explosion until well after practice, which ended early - not long after 7:00pm - due to visibility issues.

The post-practice media session was brief, and Coach Dykes was asked about the circumstances regarding Chris McCain's dismissal from the team on Sunday.

Hunter Hewitt's practice recap had additional quotes:

Dykes said it was not an easy decision, but he and the other coaches felt it was the right thing to do.

"...You have to make it judiciously, you have to do your due diligence to make sure you’re making the right decision. It was something we felt like we needed to do."

Dykes declined to comment on what happened over the weekend that was ultimately the final straw. ...

Players were disappointed about the loss of McCain, but understood the decision. Defensive end Dan Camporeale and linebacker Jalen Jefferson were supportive of their former teammate.

"I saw him Sunday and wished him luck," said Camporeale, who was surprised by the timing but understood the decision. "He’s a good player. I hope he gets a shot somewhere."

Added Jefferson:  "It’s a big loss for our defense, but I wish him the best."

Jeff Faraudo's blog had more on the McCain dismissal:

"Anytime you do that it’s a very difficult decision because it has an impact on a young person’s life," said Dykes, adding that McCain will be kept on scholarship this year and continue to attend classes.

Senior nose tackle Deandre Coleman said he was surprised by the move.

"The team was hurt. He’s a friend, he’s a brother," Coleman said. "Coach is always going to do what he feels is best for the team. Most guys understood. I understand. I’m a team player."

Regarding the QB situation, Jared Goff and Zach Kline shared 1st team reps during practice - but with Goff taking the majority:

Cal also released an injury update for the WSU game:

Hewitt's report also provided the following details:

Dykes called Jackson’s injury a "lower leg muscle strain" and said his x-rays were negative. Jackson was in a boot and did not practice Monday. He is listed as questionable. Joel Willis worked with the first team in his place.

Khalfani Muhammad and Steven Moore sustained head injuries against Oregon. Neither practiced Monday, but they are both listed as probable. Bill Tyndall worked with the first team at right tackle in place of Moore.

Michael Lowe practiced with a sleeve on his knee and is expected to play. He was not listed on the injury report.

Brennan Scarlett (hand) and Mustafa Jalil (knee) remain out indefinitely. Maurice Harris is still listed as questionable with a shoulder injury.

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