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Fire damages oldest building of Tsinghua University

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A blaze engulfed a 99-year-old building at Tsinghua University, one of China's leading seats of learning in Beijing, early Saturday, though no casualties were reported.

Fire damages oldest building of Tsinghua University.[Beijing Evening News]

The fire broke out at about 1:00 a.m. at "Tsinghua College", a German style building that spreads across 800 square meters, and was put out at 3:15 a.m., said officials of the fire brigade with the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

The main body of the building remains intact and the renovation of the building is expected to be finished in time for the university's upcoming centenary celebrations, which falls in April, 2011, according to the spokesman for the university's news center.

The building which burned is adjacent to several main university classroom buildings. During the fire, witnesses said smoke and fire were seen billowing from the top of the building.

The "Tsinghua College" was built in 1911, from which developed the current Tsinghua University.

The building has been under renovation for the centenary celebrations since Aug. 2010. The contractor is Beijing No. 3 Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire, and the damage is currently being assessed.