HARLAN, Iowa — Two people died Tuesday after a fire in the western Iowa town of Harlan.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said its personnel responded to a structure fire around 4:00 p.m. in the area of 3rd Street and Court Street. When they arrived, the residence was full of smoke. Crews were told there were three people inside at the time.

Two people were found inside the residence and brought outside for medical treatment before they were transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. They were pronounced dead at the hospital.

The SCSO said the third person believed to be in the residence was not home at the time of the fire.

The names of the deceased are not being released at this time, as official work to notify family members.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

The Harlan Fire Department, Westphalia Fire Department, Avoca Fire Department, Shelby Fire Department, Shelby County EMA, and Shelby County EMS all assisted at the scene.