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

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

The building on fire is adjacent to several main teaching buildings of the university. Some witnesses said smoke and flare were billowing from the top of the building.

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

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2010)