Massive fire engulfs science lab at University of South Florida St. Petersburg: ‘Total devastation’
A massive fire broke out at the Marine Science Lab at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg on Saturday night, causing extensive damage to the facility. The blaze, which produced large plumes of black smoke visible for miles, prompted an urgent evacuation and response from over 50 emergency units. No injuries were reported, but decades of research may have been lost, with officials citing the building's age and possible electrical storm as contributing factors.
- ▪A 2-alarm fire severely damaged the Marine Science Lab at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
- ▪Over 50 emergency response units attended the scene, and the building was safely evacuated with no reported injuries.
- ▪Interim Associate Dean Frank Biafora suggested an electrical storm might have caused the fire, and the lab's age could have increased its vulnerability.
- ▪USF Sailing coach Allison Jolly noted the 80-year-old building likely lacked modern fire prevention systems.
- ▪Officials stated the wind direction helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby student residence halls.
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US News Massive fire engulfs science lab at University of South Florida St. Petersburg: ‘Total devastation’ By David Spector Published May 2, 2026, 9:48 p.m. ET A massive 2-alarm fire engulfed the science lab at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Saturday night, risking the loss of decades of research. The colossal inferno produced pillars of black smoke billowing out of the roof of the Marine Science Lab, which were visible for miles away, the Tampa Bay Times reported. A massive fire broke out at the University of South Florida at St. Petersburg. ZUMAPRESS.com “Urgent Alert. Fire reported in MSL, Marine Science Lab. Evacuate building. Avoid area. Emergency personnel responding,” an alert sent at at 5:57 p.m by the college said.
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