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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A significant fire erupted on Saturday afternoon at a building within the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus, prompting a swift response from emergency crews.
By 6 p.m., multiple firetrucks were stationed around the USF Marine Science Lab building as flames shot through the roof, creating a huge column of smoke visible from afar.
The situation was classified as a hazmat incident, and authorities urged the public to steer clear of the area. St. Petersburg Fire Rescue officials confirmed that the two-story building had been evacuated without any reported injuries as of Saturday evening.
District Chief Michael Lewis addressed the media later that night, detailing how a passerby first noticed the fire and alerted emergency services.
Lewis highlighted the extensive firefighting effort, involving over 60 units and close to 200 firefighters. Efforts to control the blaze were anticipated to continue throughout the night and into the following morning.
Lewis said the fire was “mostly out” by 9 p.m., but that there would be a “very extensive” clean-up process requiring a hazmat team to go into the building and ensure that there were no chemical leaks.
“We have confirmed through air monitoring that there is no hazard to the surrounding areas,” the district chief said Saturday night, assuring nearby residents that it was safe.
The fire caused extensive damage to the science building. According to Lewis, the “entire roof” of USF’s Marine Science Lab building was burned off and there was water damage to much of the structure.
The smoke from the fire could be seen from miles away. Multiple people in the area submitted photos of the blaze.
The University of South Florida provided a statement Saturday night, asking people to “please continue to avoid the area and follow all emergency guidance.” Officials added that the Marine Science Lab building will be closed until further notice.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Saturday.
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