Residents evacuated due to explosion of drug lab chemicals at St. Petersburg apartment complex

Investigators remain on-scene following an explosion that occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

The explosion occurred inside an apartment at Alta Mar at Broadwater at 3906 34th Terrace South., Apartment B.

When police initially arrived, they evacuated the other 11 apartments in the building as a precaution until the cause of the explosion was determined. 

The Tampa Bomb Squad responded to the scene to clear it and make sure it’s safe for
residents to return.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the cause of the explosion was a drug lab in the apartment.

As of 10 p.m., the Tampa bomb experts determined there were still volatile chemicals in the apartment and it would not be safe for the evacuated residents to return to their apartments until they are removed.

Everyone inside the apartment left the scene after the explosion. Police are
still working to determine whether anyone was injured.