A lightning strike sparked a fire at the University of South Florida's marine science laboratory early Saturday morning, causing significant damage to the facility but no injuries, officials said.
Fire Breaks Out at Marine Research Facility
The blaze erupted at the USF College of Marine Science's laboratory building in St. Petersburg, Florida, around 2 a.m. local time. Firefighters responded quickly and contained the fire within an hour, but not before it destroyed a portion of the roof and caused water and smoke damage throughout the structure.
No one was inside the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The laboratory is a key research facility for marine science, housing specialized equipment and ongoing experiments.
Investigation Underway
According to fire officials, preliminary evidence indicates that a lightning strike was the likely cause of the fire. The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm warnings for the Tampa Bay area overnight, with frequent lightning reported.
University officials are assessing the extent of the damage and working to secure the facility. The laboratory's research programs may face disruptions as cleanup and repairs are carried out.
USF President Rhea Law expressed relief that no one was hurt and thanked first responders for their swift action. The university is committed to restoring the lab's operations as quickly as possible, she said in a statement.
The fire is a significant blow to marine research in the region, but university leaders are determined to rebuild and continue their important work studying ocean ecosystems and climate change.
