ST PETE BEACH – On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at approximately 2:45 PM, St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue responded to a three-alarm commercial structure fire at the CVS Pharmacy in Dolphin Village on Gulf Boulevard. Multiple neighboring agencies provided mutual aid, including Treasure Island, Tierra Verde, South Pasadena, Seminole, Gulfport, St. Petersburg, Lealman, and Pinellas Park Fire Departments.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) was critical in managing the scene by evacuating surrounding businesses, controlling plaza traffic, and securing the perimeter.
The fire caused extensive damage to the CVS building, including a partial roof collapse. During overhaul operations, additional hot spot fires ignited in void spaces within the building’s front façade, with no clear access points. Fire crews were forced to breach the structure’s exterior using hose line pressure to reach and extinguish the flames. This resulted in a fourth alarm being ordered for additional assets.
The fire spread across the façade to adjacent businesses south of CVS within the plaza, including Publix, resulting in smoke and water damage to multiple units. By approximately 11:30 PM, the fire within the façade was fully extinguished and contained through the collaboration of multiple agencies.
No injuries were reported among civilians or emergency responders throughout the incident.
As of 9:00 AM on Wednesday, May 14, the scene remains active and under investigation. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. As a precaution and safety measure, all businesses in the CVS/Publix complex will remain closed today.
CVS released the following statement: “We’re grateful to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue for quickly responding to the fire at our Gulf Boulevard store this afternoon. We’re cooperating with investigators as they try to determine the cause and are thankful no one was seriously hurt. The store is closed due to extensive damage. Patients with immediate prescription needs can visit the CVS Pharmacy at 3501 54th Avenue South for assistance.”
Publix released the following statement: “Our store is not open currently and we are following the direction of the local fire department on reopening. We will refer all questions to the local fire and police departments. As always, our priority remains the safety of our associates and customers.”