USF Marine Science Lab fire leaves St. Petersburg building a ‘total loss’
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Authorities said Saturday afternoon in St. A massive fire broke out in a laboratory building on the campus of the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, he said.
Campus police said firefighters were called to the Marine Science Laboratory building for a structure fire.
No injuries were reported and the building was evacuated safely, police said.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
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Firefighters on May 2, 2026 in St. Workers are working to extinguish a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Large plumes of gray smoke were seen rising from the building late on Saturday.
Students and staff were alerted to the fire shortly before 6 p.m., the Tampa Bay Times reported.
First responders arrived in St. Petersburg on May 2, 2026. Workers are working to extinguish a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
The school sent an alert that read: “Emergency Alert. Fire reported at MSL, Marine Science Laboratory. Evacuate the building. Avoid the area. Emergency personnel are responding.”
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St. Petersburg Fire Chief Michael Lewis said more than 60 units and nearly 200 firefighters responded to the scene.
Firefighters perform as spectators watch in St. Louis, Florida, on May 2, 2026. Workers are working to extinguish a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
By about 9 p.m., Lewis said the fire was largely extinguished, but the building was likely “completely damaged.”
“The roof was completely burned,” he said, according to the report.
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Firefighters in St. Louis, Florida, on May 2, 2026. He is fighting a fire that broke out on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
USF police said they will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
