A massive fire burned through the roof and into the attic of a Loras College residence hall this morning.

Visitation Hall on Alta Vista Street and University Avenue houses about 40 students, all of whom were safely evacuated, according to Dubuque Fire Chief Rick Steines.

“A police officer on patrol sighted sparks on the cupola. That triggered the fire alarm,” Steines said.

In a tweet sent out about 7:50 a.m., the school also confirmed that all students were evacuated safely.