ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 Crews battled a large fire at a building on the University of South Florida\u2019s campus in St. Petersburg on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Several firetrucks could be seen in the area around 6 p.m. as flames burst from the roof of the USF Marine Science Lab building and sent a large plume of smoke billowing into the air. <\/p>\n
Police were calling it a hazmat situation and asking people to stay away. First responders with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said the two-story building was safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported as of Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
District Chief Michael Lewis spoke with reporters later Saturday night, explaining that a bystander was the first to spot the blaze and called it in to authorities. <\/p>\n
He described the massive response to the fire, with over 60 units and nearly 200 firefighters on scene. Crews were expected to continue working through the night and into Sunday morning. <\/p>\n
Lewis said the fire was \u201cmostly out\u201d by 9 p.m., but that there would be a \u201cvery extensive\u201d clean-up process requiring a hazmat team to go into the building and ensure that there were no chemical leaks. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have confirmed through air monitoring that there is no hazard to the surrounding areas,\u201d the district chief said Saturday night, assuring nearby residents that it was safe. <\/p>\n
The fire caused extensive damage to the science building. According to Lewis, the \u201centire roof\u201d of USF\u2019s Marine Science Lab building was burned off and there was water damage to much of the structure. <\/p>\n
The smoke from the fire could be seen from miles away. Multiple people in the area submitted photos of the blaze.<\/p>\n
The University of South Florida provided a statement<\/a> Saturday night, asking people to \u201cplease continue to avoid the area and follow all emergency guidance.\u201d Officials added that the Marine Science Lab building will be closed until further notice. <\/p>\n The cause of the fire remained under investigation Saturday. <\/p>\n