Chaos again erupted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN's) Westville campus on Wednesday following a spate of protests by students.

In a video circulating online, plumes of black smoke can be seen emanating from near the Oval Residence, opposite the Sports Management Centre. 

It is understood that the students set alight a furniture storeroom that is separate from the student residence. 

No one was injured in the fire, which is believed to have started about 2pm and has since been extinguished. 

The extent of the damage to the building is not yet known. 

In a press statement attributed to the executive director of corporate relations at UKZN, Ashton Bodrick, it was noted that groups of protesting students caused disruptions at the Westville and Howard College campuses on Wednesday. 

The statement said members of UKZN's risk-management services (RMS) and public order police were monitoring the situation. 

"The protesters disrupted some lectures and committed arson, causing grave damage to university property. University management will not tolerate violence, damage to property, nor the intimidation of students and staff."

UKZN said that it had opened a case of public violence and was reviewing video footage of the violence that occurred during the protests.

It said the footage would help the police catch those found to be implicated in criminal behaviour.

"Every effort is being made to ensure that the academic programme continues uninterrupted. Management is engaging with student leaders to address the grievances they have raised," the statement read.