Massive fire engulfs USF Marine Science Lab: Building feared total loss
(Cause of the fire is under investigation. Observers and fire officials said a severe lightning storm was passing near the USF St. Petersburg campus around the time the fire was called in.)
A massive two-alarm fire tore through the University of South Florida’s Marine Science Laboratory on its St. Petersburg campus Saturday evening, leaving the historic research facility heavily damaged and likely a total loss, officials said.
The blaze erupted around 6 p.m., sending thick smoke billowing across Tampa Bay and drawing a major emergency response that included more than 60 units and roughly 200 firefighters. Authorities said the fire quickly consumed the two-story structure, with flames engulfing the roof and much of the building’s interior.
University officials issued an urgent campus alert ordering evacuations and warning students and staff to avoid the area as first responders worked to contain the fire. A civilian first spotted the flames and alerted authorities.
Fire crews battled the blaze for hours before bringing it largely under control later that night. Officials confirmed that no one was inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported. Air monitoring also indicated no hazardous threat to the surrounding community despite initial concerns about chemicals stored inside the lab.
The Marine Science Laboratory, which dates back decades and serves as a central research hub for USF’s College of Marine Science, housed advanced equipment, marine life specimens, and ongoing research projects. University leaders said recovery teams will assess what materials can be salvaged, though early indications suggest devastating losses.
Fire officials said the cause remains under investigation, though a lightning storm that passed through the area shortly before the incident may be a factor.
Cleanup efforts are expected to continue for days, with hazardous materials teams entering the building to ensure the site is safe. Despite the destruction, university officials emphasized that other campus facilities were not affected and normal operations have resumed in most areas.
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Sources: Newsweek, Tampa Bay Times, WUSF, MSN)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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