WHITEWATER, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is cleaning up after an explosion damaged the university's boiler in the power plant on the north side of campus Wednesday afternoon.

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The explosion took place at about 12:15 p.m. in the building, which is located near North Prairie Street and Esker Dining Hall. The force of the explosion blew out windows in the building.

There were seven workers in the building at the time of the blast, but no one was seriously injured. One worker received minor injuries that are not life-threatening, the university said.

But the blast did scare students on campus.

"When it first went off, we heard the boom, and of course everyone ducked down," said Chelsea Kau, a UW-Whitewater freshman.

Kau and her roommate, Samantha Draeger, had just left their dorm and were heading across campus when they saw what happened.

"We turned around and there was smoke gushing out of the boilers and there was this big fireball," Draeger said.

Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said that two contractors were doing routine maintenance on a backup boiler at the time of the blast, which knocked out the university's boiler system.

Officials said they believe the boiler malfunctioned and a transfer of fuel ignited the blast.

"Essentially, there was no type of violent threat to the university. It was an operational incident that occurred, in terms of the explosion," said Richard Swanson, UW-Whitewater director of facilities.

Immediately following the blast, some students on campus feared the worst.

"It was really scary at that moment, because it is a year after Virginia Tech and (I thought), 'I really don't want this here,'" Draeger said. "Everything's fine now; back to normal."

Esker Dining Hall east of the power plant was evacuated as a precaution because of the release of asbestos that insulated the boiler. The dining hall will be closed until further notice as the university works to contain any asbestos.

University officials said that students have been contacted via e-mail about dining alternatives. Hours of service have been extended at Drumlin Dining Hall on the west side of campus, officials said.

As a result of the explosion, officials said the campus will be without heat and hot water for several days. Students are being asked to conserve heat and not open their residence hall room windows.

Students said that the lack of hot water will make life on campus more difficult over the next several days.

Many students said they will be asking classmates who live off campus for places to shower.

"I do feel bad. If I could, I'd open my house for everyone to shower but our water bill is too high. So, were going to have to let them suffer," said Katie McNeil, a UW-Whitewater senior who lives off campus.

Students said that the closing of Esker Dining Hall will also cause some inconveniences.

"It's crazy. There are so many students that rely on (heating). At least it's warm out. But for food, it's kind of far to go to the other place on campus," said Katie Striegel, a UW-Whitewater senior.

Campus spokeswoman Sara Kuhl said the incident shouldn't disrupt classes at the campus, which has an enrollment of about 10,500 students.

The university is posting updated information about the incident on its campus Web site.