A house fire in Harlan killed two people and drew a large emergency response to the western Iowa town of about 5,000.

Fire crews were called around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, to a home near Third and Court streets after reports of possible entrapment, according to a Facebook post from Harlan Fire and Rescue. When firefighters arrived, the residence was filled with smoke.

Two occupants were pulled from the house, given medical care at the scene and then taken to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, where they were pronounced dead, according to a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office news release. A third resident was not home at the time. Authorities have not yet released the victims’ names, pending family notifications.

No emergency responders were hurt in the fire, which remains under investiga

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