Explosion tears apart university dormitory

An explosion that blew apart a university dormitory and injured one person in the south-eastern US state of Kentucky has been captured on CCTV.

Police are investigating the cause of the blast that took place at a residence building at Murray State University about 5pm Wednesday.

Dakota Fields, a residential director at the university, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A local police spokesperson said the 26-year-old was the only known occupant of the building at the time.                                                                                        

University officials have been working to clear and contain the destruction from the explosion, with the campus re-opening for use on Monday.

“A significant portion of one of our facilities is now rendered inoperable with the extent of the total damage still being assessed,” President of Murray State University Bob Davies said.

“We can, and will, replace and rebuild structures.”

While early reports indicate the blast was caused by a gas leak, investigations are ongoing.