Massive fire destroys University of South Florida laboratory building: 'Total loss'

A monolithic occurrence broke retired Saturday day astatine a laboratory gathering connected the University of South Florida field successful St. Petersburg, authorities said.

Campus constabulary said occurrence crews were called to the Marine Science Laboratory gathering for a operation fire.

No injuries person been reported, and the gathering was safely evacuated, constabulary said.

The origin of the occurrence is nether investigation.

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Firefighters enactment to extinguish a occurrence astatine the University of South Florida field successful St. Petersburg, Florida, connected May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Large plumes of grey fume were seen rising from the gathering precocious Saturday.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, students and unit were alerted to the occurrence soon earlier 6 p.m.

First responders enactment to extinguish a occurrence astatine the University of South Florida field successful St. Petersburg, Florida, connected May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

The schoolhouse sent an alert reading: "Urgent Alert. Fire reported successful MSL, Marine Science Lab. Evacuate building. Avoid area. Emergency unit responding."

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

Firefighters enactment to extinguish a occurrence astatine the University of South Florida field successful St. Petersburg, Florida, connected May 2, 2026, arsenic onlookers watch. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Lewis said astir 9 p.m. that the occurrence was mostly extinguished but that the gathering is apt "a full loss."

"The full extortion has burned off," helium said, according to the report.

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Firefighters conflict a occurrence connected the University of South Florida field successful St. Petersburg, Florida, connected May 2, 2026. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

USF constabulary said it volition supply further updates arsenic much accusation becomes available.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.