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A significant blaze erupted on Saturday afternoon within a laboratory building at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus, as reported by local authorities.
According to campus police, fire crews quickly responded to the emergency call regarding a structural fire at the Marine Science Laboratory building.
Fortunately, all individuals were safely evacuated from the premises, and no injuries have been reported, the police confirmed.
The investigation into the fire’s cause is currently underway.
In the attached image, firefighters are seen working diligently to extinguish the flames at the university campus in St. Petersburg, Florida. This image was captured on May 2, 2026, by Luis Santana of the Tampa Bay Times, via AP.
Large plumes of gray smoke were seen rising from the building late Saturday.
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 at the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
The school sent an alert reading: “Urgent Alert. Fire reported in MSL, Marine Science Lab. Evacuate building. Avoid area. Emergency personnel responding.”
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 at the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 2, 2026, as onlookers watch. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Lewis said around 9 p.m. that the fire was largely extinguished but that the building is likely “a total loss.”
“The entire roof has burned off,” he said, according to the report.
Firefighters battle a fire on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
USF police said it will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
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