Overview
- The Marine Science Laboratory on USF’s St. Petersburg campus suffered catastrophic damage during Saturday storms, and early assessments say the building may be a total loss.
- USF leaders cite video from campus cameras and a witness that shows a lightning strike at about 3:15 p.m., and fire officials have not yet issued a final cause.
- No injuries were reported, no animals were housed in the building, and about 200 responders from city and county agencies contained the blaze.
- Access remains restricted, and teams are preparing to salvage ultra-cold freezers with rare marine samples and specialized instruments once it is safe to enter.
- USF is relocating exams and classes linked to the facility, and Pinellas County lawmakers say they will seek state funding to support recovery and potential rebuilding.