News Summary
A severe fire at the CVS Pharmacy in Dolphin Village has resulted in extensive damage to several businesses. Firefighters from multiple departments responded quickly, managing to contain the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause is currently under investigation, as community members express concerns over the impact on local businesses that have only recently reopened after previous hurricanes.
St. Pete Beach – A massive fire at the CVS Pharmacy in Dolphin Village shopping center has resulted in significant damage to multiple businesses as well as extensive emergency response efforts. The fire began at approximately 2:45 p.m. on May 13, 2025, and rapidly spread to adjacent establishments, including Publix, Swim City, Hungry Howie’s, an AT&T store, and a UPS shop, before being contained later that night. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported among civilians or emergency responders.
The fire ignited in the CVS Pharmacy located at 4685 Gulf Blvd., prompting a swift response from St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue. Firefighters were joined by crews from several nearby departments, including Gulfport, Lealman, Pinellas Park, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg, Treasure Island, and Tierra Verde. By approximately 6 p.m., the fire had been initially contained, but flare-ups occurred throughout the evening, which necessitated firefighters breaching the building’s exterior to fully extinguish the flames. The fire was finally brought under control around 11:30 p.m.
As firefighters battled the blaze, heavy smoke engulfed the shopping plaza, leading to the evacuation of nearby businesses. Four individuals were inside CVS at the time of the fire, but all were able to evacuate safely. However, the fire’s destruction was severe enough to lead to a partial roof collapse at CVS, further complicating firefighting efforts.
While most businesses in the Dolphin Village shopping center have been closed in the aftermath of the fire, it has been reported that Jersey Mike’s and Starbucks are still operational. City officials, along with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, were onsite for debris cleanup following the incident. In light of the fire, CVS and Publix have made arrangements for displaced employees, with CVS patients advised to transfer prescriptions to locations in St. Petersburg.
Community members have expressed distress over the fire’s impact, particularly as many of the local businesses had only recently reopened after suffering damage from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024. The destruction wrought by the fire has sparked concerns regarding the stability and resilience of these businesses, particularly as the seasonal influx of vacationers approaches.
As of May 14, 2025, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the St. Pete Beach Public Information Officer indicating that further details will be released as they become available. Access to the area around the shopping center has been restricted, and officials are advising the public to avoid the vicinity due to ongoing cleanup operations and monitoring for potential hot spots.
This incident has left a mark not only on local residents but also on visitors who frequent St. Pete Beach, showcasing the fragility of the small business landscape in the area. As emergency crews continue their operations, the local community awaits updates on the recovery and future of the businesses affected.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: St. Pete Beach
- WTSP News
- Google Search: St. Pete Beach fire 2025
- ABC Action News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: St. Pete Beach
- Patch.com
- Google News: St. Pete Beach shopping center fire
- WFLA News
- Google Scholar: St. Pete Beach fire incident
