Fire Forces Student Evacuation at Florida University Building

Share and Follow

A devastating blaze engulfed a prominent science facility at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg on Saturday, casting huge plumes of smoke skyward and raising serious concerns over the potential loss of decades worth of research.

Firefighters from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue swiftly responded to the alarming scene at 140 7th Avenue South, where flames were seen erupting through the rooftop of the two-story structure, known as the university’s historic Marine Science Laboratory, which has stood for over 80 years.

The situation quickly intensified into a second-alarm emergency, as numerous firefighting units converged on the area. In response to the escalating danger, streets were closed off and collapse zones were set up amid fears that the building might not withstand the inferno.

Both students and staff were left in shock, watching helplessly as the fire ravaged a facility many consider the epicenter of the campus’s scientific endeavors.

Expressing the mounting concern over the incident, one student took to social media to share their worries: “All of our research and chemicals are stored there, including what’s required in the chemistry classes,” emphasizing the potential threat posed by hazardous materials within the facility.

Another warned the damage could be irreversible. ‘The building on fire doesn’t just store paper. It stores entire careers of samples… hurricane research, red tide research, fish and ecology research,’ the student said, describing collections gathered over years of fieldwork that ‘cannot be replaced.’

The scale of the destruction was visible for miles around as thick, dark smoke billowed high above the campus and surrounding neighborhoods.

Witnesses on the ground described a scene of shock and devastation. Faculty member Frank Biafora told the Tampa Bay Times: ‘We have faculty members who have research labs there. This looks like total devastation… We’ve all been checking in on each other.’

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen rising above a commercial building near the University of South Florida St. Petersburg as a two-alarm fire prompted a major emergency response

Bright orange flames could be seen emanating from the roof of what’s believed to be the science building

The fire broke out close to the marine with flames visible behind the boats

He added that shifting winds may have prevented an even more dangerous situation.

‘We are actually quite lucky that the wind is taking this to the east of us because we have residence halls and a whole lot of students on this campus. If it was coming west, it could be really dangerous right now.’

USF sailing coach Alison Jolly also watched anxiously as flames crept toward nearby boats, fearing the worst. ‘This looks like a total, total loss… it’s one thing to have equipment ruined, but to have years of research go up in flames is so sad,’ she to the Tampa Bay Times. ‘We’ve all been checking in on each other.’

Authorities confirmed the building was evacuated and no injuries have been reported.

However, officials described the incident as a potential hazmat situation due to the dozens of chemicals that stored inside the science labs.

Officials confirmed the fire escalated to a second alarm, signaling the seriousness of the situation, with streets around the building sealed off as a precaution in case of a collapse.

Authorities say the structure, described as a non-residential commercial property, was evacuated quickly.