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.

Moez Limayem, the USF president, said that lightning storms in the area were being looked at as a possible cause of the enormous and devastating blaze at the advanced scientific institute.

“St Pete Fire and Rescue said there was lightning reported in the area around at the time the fire started, but the cause remains under investigation,” Limayem said in a statement.

Michael Lewis, the St Petersburg fire chief, said more than 60 units and about 200 firefighters responded to the scene.

“We will rebuild stronger than ever and my commitment is to do everything we can to move quickly to ensure that we have the best possible facilities to support our world class students, faculty and staff,” Limayem added.