American University Of Afghanistan: Gunfire And Explosions Reported Near Campus

One person is dead and at 25 people are wounded after gunfire and explosions were reported Wednesday near the campus of American University Of Afghanistan, the country's only private, not-for-profit university founded with help from former First Lady Laura Bush.

While early reports said the campus was under attack, it was unclear if hostile actors had breached the well-guarded campus.

Teachers and students who did not immediately evacuate the campus, located in the country's capital of Kabul, sheltered in place and remained trapped in classrooms and other buildings.

One of the school's students told NBC News they were leaving class when they heard gunfire and were rocked by an explosion.

The blast was reported at 7:50 p.m local time, according to CNN, and fires can be seen burning near the campus.

Mark English, a University of Texas and Westpoint graduate who serves as the school's president, told the Associated Press, "We are trying to assess the situation."

American University of Afghanistan opened in 2008 with the help of $42 million of fundraising from Bush. According to the school's website, more than 1,700 full- or part-time students are enrolled, and it has partnerships with schools such as Stanford University, Georgetown University and the University of California network.

In 2014, two employees were killed in a Taliban attack at a restaurant near the school.

This is a developing story and will be updated.