New YMCA middle school complex catches fire
January 10, 2023 - St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) responded to a fire at the construction site for a new YMCA complex and magnet middle school Tuesday afternoon. According to the SPFR press release, the department responded to reports of smoke emanating from a building at 501 62nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, the location of the former Riviera Middle School. The release states that first responders found a 50-square-foot area of fire isolated to the roof. Fire personnel used an aerial ladder truck to extinguish the blaze, which is currently under investigation. Workers broke ground on the complex in June 2022, and officials expect the YMCA portion to open by the end of the year.