Fir-fighters had extinguished a fire in the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing by noon Monday.

Thick smoke and flames in a two-story, sheet-metal dormitory building that accommodated security guards, students and some staff were reported to the police at 10:10 a.m.

Heavy smoke and fire engines are seen on campus of China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, March 16, 2009. [Xinhua photo]

More than 140 fire-fighters with 24 fire appliances managed to extinguish the fire after two hours.

One man was taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation, but his condition was unknown, said an official with the fire-fighters.

Police are investigating into cause of the fire. Their findings are expected to come out in about three days.

Fire-fighting authorities in Beijing have warned students against using high-voltage stoves and electric appliances.

The college was in the eastern Chaoyang district, where the new China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters is located. A new and unoccupied hotel building in the complex was destroyed by fire on February 9, China's traditional Lantern Festival, and one fire-fighter died trying to extinguish the blaze.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2009)