A fire that broke out on the upper floors of McGill University's Royal Victoria College earlier this morning was put out shortly after noon.

The historic greystone building at the corner of University and Sherbrooke streets, which serves as a university residence, had been evacuated after flames were spotted on the building's roof.

The fire was reported just before 11 a.m. ET. Firefighters could be seen using ladders and water cannons as they worked to douse the flames.

The cause of the fire isn't yet known but it was put out before it spread far past the upper floor, according to the McGill website.

University staff were working to find alternate accommodation for students affected by the fire.

Founded in 1899, Royal Victoria College was originally the women's college of McGill, where women both lived and studied. It became a mixed-sex residence in 2010.

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