USF Marine Science Lab fire leaves St. Petersburg building a ‘total loss’

A massive fire broke out Saturday afternoon at a laboratory on the campus of the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, authorities said.

Campus police said fire crews were called to the Marine Science Lab building for a structure fire.

No injuries were reported and the building was safely evacuated, police said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Firefighters work to extinguish a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Large plumes of gray smoke were seen rising from the building on Saturday evening.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, students and staff were alerted to the fire shortly before 6 p.m.

First responders work to extinguish a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

The school sent out an alert saying: “Urgent alert. Fire reported at MSL, Marine Science Laboratory. Evacuate building. Avoid area. Emergency personnel responding.”

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St. Petersburg Fire Chief Michael Lewis said more than 60 units and about 200 firefighters responded to the scene.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, May 2, 2026, as onlookers look on. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Lewis said around 9 p.m. the fire was largely out but the building was likely “a total loss.”

“The whole roof burned,” he said, according to the report.

The University of South Florida said Saturday evening that the building would remain closed until further notice.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., reacted to news of the fire, calling it “horrible.”

“Please join Anne and I in praying for everyone involved and affected,” he wrote on X. “Thank God for our heroic first responders who run toward danger in times like this.”

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Firefighters battle a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, May 2, 2026. (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.