According to police, the fire broke out under mysterious circumstances from one of the inmates' rooms and engulfed the building within seconds. By the time fire tenders reached the spot from the Fire Brigade headquarters nearby, around 110 rooms had already been reduced to ashes.

This building, a decades-old wooden structure, was a blend of local and British architecture, and had been damaged by a fire incident last year too. Most of the students' belongings, including books and notes, were destroyed in the fire.

With the first and second year examinations round the corner, students were heard bemoaning their loss of precious notes. ``Nothing can compensate the loss of notes and books at this time, when the final examination of the First Year MBBS is to start on May, 10,'' a student was heard saying.

Most of the hostelites hailedfrom villages.