A massive fire erupted on Saturday afternoon at the University of South Florida's Marine Science Laboratory in St. Petersburg, with no reported injuries and the building evacuated safely.
Over 60 units and approximately 200 firefighters were dispatched to the location, with St. Petersburg Fire Chief Michael Lewis stating that the fire had mostly been put out, but the structure is probably 'a total loss.'
Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Frank Biafora informed that an electrical storm may have triggered the fire, while USF Sailing coach Allison Jolly noted that the laboratory's age, constructed 80 years ago, may have rendered it susceptible to fire.
