Updated: Monday, May 6 at 3:00 p.m.

The University Police Department is investigating the cause of a fire on the first floor of Madison Hall, which forced students out of the building Saturday and filled the hallway with smoke.

UPD’s crime log, updated Monday, lists the open case as arson and destruction.

Three residents said the fire was quickly contained, and crews began to leave the area, which was still smoky and blanketed with fire extinguisher powder, two hours later.

“Officers found the damaged bulletin board on the first floor smoldering with smoke present, but no open flame,” University Police Chief Kevin Hay said, adding that officers put out the smoldering areas with a fire extinguisher.

An investigator from D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed Saturday that the charred bulletin board was the extent of the damage and declined to release details until a report had been filed. Hay said UPD was still investigating how the fire started as of Monday morning.

Two fire trucks and one fire investigations van responded to the incident – though the trucks left the scene about 30 minutes later.

The incident, which occurred around 2 p.m., also shut down the 22nd Street block between H and G streets.

Freshman Conor McGrath said smoke was also visible in the stairwells, and freshman Rohan Singh said the smell of flames reached the fifth floor.

“Walking downstairs smelled like a campfire,” freshman resident Nicole Giletto said.

Madison Hall, located at 736 22nd St., houses more than 200 freshmen.

– Sarah Ferris and Brianna Gurciullo contributed to reporting.