A significant fire broke out at the Marine Science Lab on the St. Petersburg campus of the University of South Florida, prompting a two-alarm response and leading to widespread evacuations of students and staff. Fire crews battled the blaze, which quickly escalated into a hazardous materials situation. Eyewitness accounts reported billowing smoke visible for miles. Authorities indicated that the building may be a total loss, with evaluations expected to take place overnight. The incident has resulted in the deployment of over 70 emergency units to manage the situation.