Firefighters worked into the early-morning hours Thursday to battle stubborn, two-metre flames shooting from the main building at Dalhousie University's agricultural campus in Bible Hill, N.S.

The blaze broke out before 10 p.m. Wednesday in the roof of the Cox Institute, located on Pictou Road. The road was closed off and power was cut to the area as a precaution.

The top floor of the university building was filled with smoke and multiple fire crews tried to keep the flames at bay. (Steve Berry/CBC)

The top floor of the university building was filled with smoke and multiple fire crews tried to keep the flames at bay, but bright-orange tongues of fire could be seen emanating from the top floor as a growing number of onlookers gathered at the scene. The flames were still visible hours after the fire broke out.

It is believed there was significant damage.

David Gray, dean of the faculty of agriculture, said the Cox Institute is a teaching and research facility. He said the fire was contained to the east wing, which primarily houses classrooms and office space.

Gray said the damage is "substantial" but the full extent won't be known until the building can be assessed.

"The first priority is always our people and also the safety of the firefighters and emergency services that were working so hard to extinguish the fire," said Gray, who was thankful no one was injured.

He said it's too early to speculate on the fate of research work being done on the west wing of the building.

Final-year student Seun Esan told CBC News he was concerned about losing his research material inside the Cox building.

"I'm a graduate student, I'm wrapping up my masters program and I do a lot of writing in the building," said Esan, gesturing at the flames.

"I'm really worried," he added.

The Cox Institute will be closed until further notice, the school said on its Twitter account. The school asked faculty and staff who work in the building to go to the MacRae Library Thursday morning.

Crews and engines from several communities were called to the scene. (Submitted by Bruce Berry)

​Crews and engines from Bible Hill, Onslow, Belmont and other surrounding communities were called to the scene and trucks could be seen bringing extra water to crews, some of whom wore breathing masks.

Responding crews asked for backup and Truro Fire Service said it was available to help.

Tongues of flame shot from the roof of the Cox Institute Pictou Road. (Steve Berry/CBC)

Not the first fire

It's the second fire to hit Dalhousie's agricultural campus in less than three years.

In August 2015, fire damaged the Ruminant Animal Centre, with smoke billowing from the 10 silos attached to the building.

The roof was compromised in several places but all staff and animals were safely evacuated. It's believed the fire started either on the roof or on the upper floors.

Final-year masters student Seun Esan told CBC News he was concerned about losing his research material. (Steve Berry/CBC)

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