A fast-moving fire at the University of South Floridaâs St. Petersburg campus left the Marine Science Lab heavily damaged Saturday evening, forcing a major emergency response and raising concerns about the future of research work housed inside the waterfront facility.
The blaze broke out at USFâs Marine Science Lab, a non-residential building on the St. Petersburg campus. University alerts warned students, staff and faculty to evacuate the area and stay away while emergency crews responded. Officials later confirmed that no injuries were reported, a major relief given the scale of the fire and the number of firefighters needed to bring it under control.
More than 60 emergency units and nearly 200 firefighters were called to the scene after flames were seen coming from the building. Smoke rose high above downtown St. Petersburg and could be seen from miles away across Tampa Bay, drawing crowds of onlookers to nearby waterfront areas as crews worked for hours.
By late Saturday night, fire officials said the fire was mostly under control, but the damage was severe. The roof of the Marine Science Lab was burned away, and the structure suffered extensive fire and water damage. Officials said the building is likely to be considered a total loss.
Hazmat crews called as firefighters worked through the night
The emergency response did not end once the flames were knocked down. Because the building was used for scientific work, hazardous materials teams were brought in to inspect the site and check for possible chemical leaks. Fire officials said crews expected a long cleanup process and planned to remain at the scene overnight to monitor hot spots.
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Air monitoring around the area did not show a danger to nearby residents, according to officials. That update helped ease concerns after police and emergency crews initially treated the fire as a hazardous materials situation and urged people to avoid the campus area.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. An electrical storm had moved through the area before the blaze, but officials have not confirmed whether weather played any role. Investigators are expected to review the scene before making any conclusion about how the fire started.
The Marine Science Labâs loss could have consequences beyond the physical damage. The facility supported research, equipment storage and academic work connected to marine science. Some university community members expressed concern that years of research, lab materials and marine life may have been destroyed in the fire.
The USF College of Marine Science is an important part of Floridaâs coastal research network, with work connected to ocean systems, water quality, climate, fisheries and marine ecosystems. A fire inside a lab building can create a difficult recovery process because research spaces often contain specialized equipment, samples and long-running projects that cannot be replaced quickly.
Students and staff watched the fire unfold with shock as emergency vehicles filled streets near the campus. Some students in nearby housing said they were unsure at first whether they might need to leave their dorms. Officials said the wind helped carry smoke away from some residence areas, reducing the immediate risk to students on campus.
The fire also disrupted events nearby. A high school prom scheduled at a ballroom on campus was canceled after students had already arrived for the evening. While no injuries were reported, the cancellation added to the sense of disruption around the campus as emergency crews continued working just blocks away.
Classes expected to continue, but lab remains closed
Fire officials said no classrooms were damaged in the blaze, meaning classes are expected to continue. However, the Marine Science Lab will remain closed until further notice while the university assesses the damage and determines what can be recovered.
The next steps for USF will likely include a structural review, a research loss assessment and temporary planning for faculty and students who used the lab. Rebuilding or replacing a specialized science facility can take time, especially when hazardous materials, equipment damage and insurance reviews are involved.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, which provides fire suppression and hazardous materials response for the city, led the large response. More information about the department is available through St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.
For now, the university community is left balancing relief that no one was hurt with the reality of a serious academic and research loss. The fire did not damage classrooms, but it appears to have destroyed a facility tied closely to USF St. Petersburgâs marine science identity.
Officials have asked the public to continue avoiding the affected area while cleanup and investigation work continues. More details are expected after fire investigators complete their review of the building and university officials finish their internal damage assessment.
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