Lightning may have sparked fire destroying top US marine science lab, officials say

About 200 firefighters responded to devastating blaze at University of South Florida’s lab on Saturday Officials are investigating whether a huge fire that destroyed a top marine science laboratory at the University of South Florida may have been caused by a lightning strike. Despite a massive response from local fire crews the Marine Science Laboratory building was completely destroyed after the blaze began on Saturday. Continue reading...

Guardian staff · Sun, May 3, 2026, 9:31 AM
US news | The Guardian

Lightning may have sparked fire destroying top US marine science lab, officials say

About 200 firefighters responded to devastating blaze at University of South Florida’s lab on Saturday

Officials are investigating whether a huge fire that destroyed a top marine science laboratory at the University of South Florida may have been caused by a lightning strike.

Despite a massive response from local fire crews the Marine Science Laboratory building was completely destroyed after the blaze began on Saturday.

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