Fire destroys a lab building on a University of South Florida campus

Advertisement

Advertise with us

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Firefighters worked through the night to extinguish a blaze at a laboratory on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg and officials said Sunday that the building could be a total loss.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $1.44 a week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $5.77 plus GST every four weeks. After 52 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Firefighters worked through the night to extinguish a blaze at a laboratory on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg and officials said Sunday that the building could be a total loss.

The fire Saturday night prompted evacuations and sent up plumes of billowing smoke from the marine science lab building. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were released, USF President Moez Limayem wrote in a message to students and staff.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Firefighters battle a fire at the University of South Florida campus Saturday, May 2, 2026, in St. Petersburg.=, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Firefighters battle a fire at the University of South Florida campus Saturday, May 2, 2026, in St. Petersburg.=, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Limayem said damage assessments were ongoing, but the destruction was extensive.

“Our recovery teams are working with the College of Marine Science to prioritize key research material and equipment for salvage assessment when the building is cleared,” Limayem wrote.

Classes and exams scheduled for the lab building will be relocated.

Report Error Submit a Tip

World

LOAD WORLD ARTICLES