Elected officials toured the site of a weekend fire at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, getting a firsthand look at damage that could amount to a total loss of a marine science facility and the research housed inside.
A structure fire on Saturday at the Marine Science Laboratory (MSL) building has left a marine science facility potentially destroyed, disrupting research operations and prompting an ongoing damage assessment.
University leaders said emergency crews from St. Pete Fire Rescue and other agencies responded late into the night to bring the blaze under control. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation — though lightning was reported in the area around the time it began.
Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers was among local leaders who toured the facility Monday at the invitation of Mayor Ken Welch to assess the aftermath of the blaze at the university’s Marine Science Laboratory building.
“While the exact cause is not known as of yet, there are indicators of what caused the fire according to the Fire Chief. The buildings that were affected once served as housing barracks for the Coast Guard. Over the years, it became research quarters for USF. The fire not only destroyed the building, it destroyed critical research,” Flowers said on social media.
Early assessments indicate the MSL building may be a total loss — a significant blow to the university’s College of Marine Science and to St. Petersburg’s maritime research community. The facility has long served as a hub for marine science education and research, contributing to USF’s standing as a national leader in the field.
University President Moez Limayem issued a statement indicating recovery efforts are focused on assessing damage and salvaging critical research materials and equipment once it is safe to enter the building.
“Our immediate focus is taking care of our people, and then on maintaining academic and research continuity. We are working to relocate any classes or exams scheduled to be held in the area,” Limayem said in the statement.
“For researchers, students and staff who used the MSL facility, we are evaluating our options to find alternative spaces. Our ‘Sailebration’ event in St. Pete to celebrate our graduating students will go on as scheduled. Additional updates will be shared directly with those who use the building and anyone else impacted as soon as we have more information to provide.”
Limayem acknowledged the timing of the fire adds strain during finals week, calling it “a challenging time” for students and staff, while emphasizing available mental health and support resources.
St. Petersburg Chair Lisset Hanewicz credited preparation by local firefighters for containing the fire to one building, noting that “it was shocking to see how close some of those buildings.” She expressed sympathy for those who saw their life’s work burn in the fire overnight.
“Imagine your home and everything you have in it, and all of a sudden a fire breaks out and that’s all gone in just a matter of hours,” Hanewicz told Florida Politics. “It’s all erased. It’s all erased. I can’t imagine how horrible it feels for those who made their livelihood in that building to know that it’s all gone.”
St. Petersburg Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross thanked roughly 200 first responders for their work in putting out the fire in a post on social media. She also posted a video from the MSL building site on social media Monday.
“I was able to be a part of a tour with St. Pete Fire Rescue, with USF police, with leaders from the county and the state level, and just have an opportunity to look at the devastation. I want to first extend my gratitude to the fire rescue teams — not only from the city but around the county — who responded so quickly, around 200 men and women who were able to get this fire under control and prevent any loss of life or injury to humans,” Cross said in the video.
“I also want to express my sympathy to the students, to the faculty and the staff who have had years or decades of their research or their lives work that has been burned or potentially impacted from this fire. I know that all of us here are going to do what we can to make sure we fully understand the cause of this — likely lightning from the storm — and that we have the resources and personnel to recover.”
St. Petersburg Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson said the loss represents more than just a building, it is the center of a research community that has anchored the University’s role as a leading marine science institution.
“I am grateful that the building was safely evacuated and that no injuries have been reported, even as this remains a deeply unfortunate event for a campus that is such an integral part of our community. My thoughts are with the students, faculty, and staff of the College of Marine Science, particularly given the concern around the potential loss of valuable research, data, and equipment,” Rouson said in a statement.
“I remain in close contact with university leadership and local and state officials as the cause of the fire continues to be investigated, and we work to fully understand the scope of the damage. I have also been communicating with legislative partners, and stand ready to support any efforts needed from the Legislature to assist in recovery and rebuilding.”
Welch thanked first responders in a statement posted on social media over the weekend, prior to the tour, indicating he is “grateful to all of our first responders who kept our community safe in the wake of this significant threat.” Welch said he has spoken with Limayem, and indicated the city “stands with our USF family.”
“We will work with our community to rebuild better than before,” Welch said.
St. Petersburg City Council Brandi Gabbard thanked first responders for their work during the fire.
“Between the fire at USF St. Pete and the intense standoff at Vantage Point Apartments, it was a heavy day for our city. We are incredibly grateful that both situations ended with no casualties. Thank you for your service, your bravery, and for keeping our community safe!” Gabbard said on social media.