Smoke could be seen for miles over Tampa Bay as emergency personnel responded to a two-alarm structure fire at the University of South Florida‘s St. Petersburg campus. Officials have since confirmed that the blaze erupted at the school’s Marine Science Laboratory on Saturday evening (US time).

The incident occurred on Saturday evening (US time), as massive flames send smoke stretching for miles across Tampa Bay. More than 60 units and nearly 200 firefighters were deployed to the scene, according to US reports. St Petersburg Fire Chief Michael Lewis further indicated that the building, a more than 80-year-old structure, was likely a “total loss,” adding that the entire roof had burnt off.

The fire chief also noted that the blaze had cause severe damage and water damage to the building.

Students and staff at USF were intimated about the fire through an emergency text message: “Urgent Alert. Fire reported in MSL, Marine Science Lab. Evacuate building. Avoid area. Emergency personnel responding,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

Frank Biafora, interim associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at USF St. Petersburg, told the Tampa Bay Times that an electrical storm had hit the area before the fire, speculating it to be the cause of the blaze. The official cause of the fire has yet to be revealed by authorities.

Meanwhile, the University of South Florida later offered an update on the structure fire in the on-campus MSL building. At the time, not injuries had been reported and the building had been safely evacuated.

This is an ongoing investigation.