Tulane University Police responded to an automobile accident on Monday in which a tree and semitruck collided on Freret Street, knocking out power around campus and reportedly starting a small fire. 

TUPD urged students, faculty and residents to avoid the area until further notice. 

The Howard-Tilton Memorial Library cleared students Monday morning while the New Orleans Fire Department and Entergy could respond. 

Reports emerged after 11 a.m. of a semitruck on Freret that was stopped with a large oak tree toppled over it. The tree appears to have pulled down power lines. 

Senior Sadie Heller was walking to the library this morning when a professor told her to leave and not touch any metal in the area. The library had not been evacuated yet.

Then “something snapped and popped,” Heller said. “The air was buzzing, like I could hear the electricity.” 

Areas around campus and Uptown lost power as a result of the accident. Blocks between Broadway Street, parts of Zimpel Street, Cherokee Street and parts of St. Charles Avenue lost power initially. Entergy maps show those areas are now restored. 

A stretch of Freret Street between Broadway and the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is currently without power. 

Students who left personal items in the library can report to the main entrance before 7 p.m. to receive an escort to retrieve belongings. TUPD will collect all items that remain after 7 p.m., and students can access them by emailing [email protected]. 

The library will reopen at 7 p.m. Freret Street is closed until further notice. 

This is a developing story and may be updated as information becomes available.