The AccuWeather Lightning Network detected lightning strikes between 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday near the Marine Science Laboratory building in St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
Published May 4, 2026 4:01 PM CDT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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Updated May 4, 2026 4:20 PM CDT\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\tDownpours are leading to flash flooding risks in Florida this week, but they\u2019ve primarily brought beneficial drought relief to the state.\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\tA lightning strike near the University of South Florida\u2019s St. Petersburg<\/a> campus Saturday afternoon may have sparked a fire that destroyed a key marine science laboratory, according to university officials and AccuWeather analysis.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe fire broke out at the Marine Science Laboratory building on the waterfront campus and quickly grew into a two-alarm blaze, sending thick smoke across Tampa Bay. More than 60 units and about 200 firefighters responded as flames engulfed the structure, which university officials say may be a total loss.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSt. Petersburg Fire Rescue and other first responders work a large fire at the University of South Florida’s Marine Science Laboratory on May 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Officials believe the possible cause was lightning. (Image credit: Fireground 24 Photography)\n<\/p>\n \n\tNo injuries were reported, and all personnel were accounted for after the building was evacuated, authorities said.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe cause of the fire remains under investigation. St. Pete Fire Rescue said lightning could be the possible cause.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe AccuWeather Lightning Network detected lightning strikes between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday near the laboratory building.\n<\/p>\n \n\tLightning strikes detected by the AccuWeather Lightning Network between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday south of St. Petersburg, Florida. Circles with a positive (+) symbol are positively charged lightning strikes. Those with a negative symbol (-) are negative and plain circles indicate in-cloud lightning.\n<\/p>\n \n\tAccuWeather Meteorologist Geoff Cornish, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter, said it\u2019s plausible the lightning strike ignited the fire but went unnoticed for hours.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“A lightning-sparked fire can smolder in a structure for hours before flames become visible,” Cornish said.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSt. Petersburg Fire Rescue and other first responders work a large fire at the University of South Florida’s Marine Science Laboratory on May 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Officials believe the possible cause was lightning. (Image credit: Fireground 24 Photography)\n<\/p>\n \n\tFire crews were first alerted on Sunday afternoon after a person across the marina spotted smoke and flames coming from the building, reports WUSF<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Marine Science Laboratory housed advanced research equipment and labs used to study oceanography, water quality and climate systems. University officials said recovery teams will assess what materials can be salvaged once the site is deemed safe.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSt. Petersburg Fire Rescue and other first responders work a large fire at the University of South Florida’s Marine Science Laboratory on May 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Officials believe the possible cause was lightning. (Image credit: Fireground 24 Photography)\n<\/p>\n \n\t“This is unfortunate as MSL has a rich history and longtime connection to St. Petersburg’s maritime community. The building has been home to important marine science education and research, and the work that has been done there has helped USF become a national leader in this field,” USF President Moez Limayem said in a statement.\n<\/p>\n \n\tWhile the building sustained catastrophic damage, no other buildings were affected.\n<\/p>\n