Massive Fire Destroys CVS and Affects Nearby Businesses

Firefighters work to control the blaze at CVS Pharmacy on Gulf Boulevard.

News Summary

A significant fire broke out at the CVS pharmacy on Gulf Boulevard, leading to the store’s total loss and impacting numerous neighboring businesses. Fire crews managed to evacuate individuals inside with no injuries reported. Despite initial containment efforts, the fire reignited later in the evening, causing further damage. The incident has left the community reeling, particularly as these businesses had recently reopened after hurricane damages. Investigations are ongoing to determine the fire’s cause, while local organizations rally to support affected businesses.

St. Pete Beach – A significant fire broke out at the CVS pharmacy located at 4685 Gulf Boulevard on Tuesday, February 20th, around 2:45 p.m., leading to the total loss of the store and affecting multiple neighboring businesses. The fire, which initially drew a heavy response from local fire crews, posed a serious risk as it spread to the Dolphin Village Shopping Center, damaging other establishments including Publix, Swim City, Hungry Howie’s, an AT&T store, and a UPS location.

Firefighters were able to evacuate four individuals from inside CVS, with no reported injuries. Witnesses at the scene described the situation as chaotic, with heavy flames and smoke prompting shoppers to leave “frantically.” Initial containment efforts lasted approximately two hours, with the fire declared under control around 6:30 p.m.

However, the situation worsened when the fire reignited around 9 p.m., causing further damage to adjacent businesses. Fire crews continued to combat the blaze late into the night, successfully containing it by around 11:30 p.m. During the firefighting operations, a partial roof collapse at CVS complicated the extinguishing efforts, highlighting the fire’s severity.

Multiple fire response units were involved in addressing the incident, including teams from Lealman, Pinellas Park, Gulfport, St. Pete, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach Fire. Crews have remained on site to monitor for any remaining hot spots and prevent potential flare-ups.

As a safety measure, all businesses in the Dolphin Village Shopping Center have been closed while investigations are underway to determine the fire’s cause. Preliminary reports revealed that the affected businesses had recently reopened after suffering damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, raising concerns within the community about the repeated losses to key local establishments that serve both residents and tourists.

Community members have expressed their dismay over the damage to beloved local businesses, with many emphasizing the importance of these establishments in maintaining the area’s character and economy. Local businesses and organizations have come together to offer support to those affected, underlining the community’s resilience in the face of such challenges.

In light of the fire, Gulf Boulevard was temporarily closed during the firefighting response but has since been reopened to traffic. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, as officials work to determine what led to this extensive damage within the shopping center. The impact of this incident is estimated to be significant, not just in terms of physical loss but also in the disruption of services to the community.

Authorities will provide updates as more information becomes available, and residents are encouraged to stay informed about the recovery process for the affected businesses and the next steps in the investigation.