MENOMONIE, Wis. – An overnight fire in an off-campus residence claimed the lives of three students Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

In a letter sent to students via email, Chancellor Charles W. Sorensen said: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of these students. The whole campus is grieving for the loss of these fine young people. We will support the family and friends of these students in any way we can.”

Earlier Saturday, officials identified the students as:

-Scott A. Hams, 23, of Hayward, Wis. He was a senior studying business administration and on schedule to graduate next month, according to university spokesman Doug Mell.

-Amanda Jean Rief, 20, Chaska, Minn. She was a sophomore business administration major.

-April C. Englund, 21, West St. Paul, Minn. She was a senior majoring in retail merchandising.

Hams and Rief were staying overnight at the residence of Englund, who lived in the two-story house, located about three blocks east of campus. Authorities received a call about the fire at 3:32 a.m. CDT, with police and fire fighters responding to the scene by 3:37 a.m.

According to a university statement, “moderate smoke was showing from the basement, first floor and second floor.”

The building’s rear unit was evacuated, while fire fighters attempted to control the fire in the front unit.

The three victims were located in separate second-story bedrooms. Officials attempted to revive the students, who were taken to the Red Cedar Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.

It is unclear why Hams and Rief were staying at the residence of Englund.

At a news conference Saturday afternoon, police said there was no record of the house – located in an area with many other off-campus student residences – having past troubles, such as noise violations or party complaints.

“By all reports, this was not a problem household at all,” said Mell.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, he said.

Mell said the school, with about 8,400 students, is working to help everyone involved deal with the shock and grief.

“‘We called all of our counselors and campus ministers,” he said. “There are grieving students. Three members of our community have died.”