Related videos:
A two-alarm fire destroyed the building of the Marine Science Laboratory (MSL) of the University of South Florida (USF) on the St. Petersburg campus in Florida yesterday afternoon, as confirmed this Sunday by the institution's president, Moez Limayem.
The fire started around 5:39 p.m. on Saturday, and the university immediately issued an evacuation alert. More than 60 units and approximately 200 firefighters from St. Petersburg and neighboring agencies responded to the call.
The fire was mostly controlled by 9 p.m., although teams continued to work until early morning to eliminate hot spots.
"The initial information suggests that the MSL building could be a total loss," Limayem stated in an official statement.
"Our recovery teams are working with the College of Marine Sciences to prioritize research materials and key equipment for salvage assessment."
The chief of the San Petersburg Fire Rescue District, Michael Lewis, confirmed that the building sustained extensive damage, with the roof completely destroyed and flames visible coming from it.
No injuries or trapped individuals were reported, and Limayem clarified that no hazardous materials were released into the environment, despite the fact that the fire was initially considered a hazardous materials situation due to the presence of compressed gas cylinders and research chemicals inside.
San Petersburgo Fire Rescue reported that lightning was detected in the area around the time the fire started, although the official cause remains under investigation.
The MSL building was over 80 years old and served as the main research center for the USF College of Marine Science, featuring advanced laboratories for chemistry, biology, and oceanography focused on studying the water quality of Tampa Bay and global climate change.
"It is regrettable, as the MSL has a rich history and a long connection with the maritime community of St. Petersburg," Limayem acknowledged.
The academic impact is immediate: the classes and exams scheduled in the MSL will need to be relocated during the middle of final exam week.
Other facilities on Peninsula Drive, including the Knight Oceanographic Research Center and the Plant Operations building, also remain closed.
The university president confirmed that the graduation event "Sailebration" will proceed as scheduled.
The fire strikes the USF community at a particularly challenging time. Just weeks ago, two doctoral students from the university were found dead under circumstances that shocked the campus.
The suspect in the crime was arrested on April 25 and is facing two charges of first-degree murder. The body of one of the students was found near a bridge in Florida, while chilling details of the case emerged days later.
"This situation adds to what has already been a challenging time for our university community," Limayem acknowledged. "We will rebuild stronger than ever, and my commitment is to do everything possible to progress quickly and ensure the best facilities for our students, faculty, and staff."
Filed under: