Petersburg Fire Rescue firefighters respond to a large two-alarm fire at the University of South Florida’s Marine Science Labs building in St. Petersburg on Saturday night, with thick plumes of smoke rising high into the sky and visible across a wide swath of the city.
The fire broke out at the USF facility at 140 7th Avenue South, a structure that is more than 80 years old. A spokesperson for the University of South Florida confirmed to local broadcaster 10 Tampa Bay News that the smoke was coming from the Marine Science Labs building on the St. Petersburg.
The building was evacuated safely when flames broke through the roof
St. Petersburg firefighters confirmed that the building was safely evacuated before the fire spread. No injuries were reported Saturday night.
Several fire trucks were seen at the scene from around 18:00 local time as flames broke through the roof of the building and a large plume of dark smoke billowed into the surrounding atmosphere. Witnesses from around the city submitted photos of the fire, with a plume of smoke visible for miles.
A state of emergency has been declared as police urge the public to remain calm
Authorities have declared the incident a dangerous situation, with police issuing urgent warnings to members of the public to avoid the area. The nature of the hazardous material involved has not yet been officially confirmed, although the building’s designation as a marine scientific research facility suggests the presence of laboratory chemicals or research compounds on the premises.
The cause of the fire was under investigation as of Saturday evening. No further details on the origin of the fire have been released by officials at this stage.
USF St. Petersburg is one of the main campuses of the University of South Florida system. The Marine Science Labs building is considered a significant facility within the institution due to its age and research function.
This is a developing story. Updates will be added as more information becomes available.
