The fire broke out about 1:00AM at Tsinghua College, a German style building that spreads over 800 square meters, and was put out at 3:15AM, said the fire brigade under Beijing Public Security Bureau.

The burning building was adjacent to several main classrom buildings at the university. Some witnesses said smoke and flames were billowing from the top of the building.

Tsinghua College was built in 1911 and developed into today’s Tsinghua University. The building was under renovation for the university's forthcoming centenary celebrations.

Police are probing into the cause of the fire, and the damage is under assessment.