The fire, which broke out around 1:49 p.m., was reported by police officers patrolling the neighborhood, fire officials said. It was under control nine minutes later.

But the stunned students, who had been working on assignments before fleeing, had to wait about a half-hour to re-enter while the extent of damage caused by the fire was determined.

The fire, however, caused no serious problems, said Battalion Chief Bill Haug.

"Everybody will be able to return," he said.

Haug said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but added it appeared accidental. He said there was minor structural damage, but that tarpaper would offer a temporary fix until permanent repairs take place.

The students in the three-floor, multi-family house attend Fairfield University, the University of Bridgeport and Norwalk Community College. They are natives of Nepal and India.

UB freshman Rashita Admikary from Nepal — who doesn't live at the Gregory Street house, but was studying with friends there — said the students knew what to grab besides their computers. "We got everything out, especially our passports," she said.

— SUSAN SILVERS