The St. Petersburg Area Command provided rapid support to first responders Saturday, May 2, deploying its Emergency Disaster Services canteen after a major fire broke out at the marine science building on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus.
Major Beth Sturdivant led the response, arriving with a dedicated crew to serve and encourage first responders and university personnel working at the incident site.
“Downtown St. Petersburg is not a massive place, and we rallied quickly to coordinate canteen service for the fire crews and get to the campus right away,” said Major Beth Sturdivant. “It was also a blessing to be on site as a calming presence for school officials and students who gathered to witness the blaze. Everyone was worried about the equipment and contents of the building and the future of the students who attend USF St.-Pete specifically for the marine science program.”
Early reports indicate the fire was most likely caused by a lightning strike. It nearly destroyed the marine science building, and there are serious concerns that decades of research and rare marine samples were also reduced to ashes.
The Salvation Army remains committed to supporting those who serve and the community members impacted by disaster, providing practical care and a steady presence during difficult moments.
For more information about The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services in St. Petersburg, visit Disaster Relief – St. Petersburg.
