We have new information regarding the fatal house fire in Guthrie Center.

The Division of Criminal Investigation and the Guthrie County Sheriff’s office have confirmed two individuals have died as a result of the fire and their positive identifications will be made during autopsies later this week by the State Medical Examiner’s office. Officials have also confirmed that the two individuals were students in the Guthrie Center School District. Officials have also confirmed another person was critically injured from the fire and was transported by air ambulance to Omaha, Nebraska, where they remain hospitalized.

Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright shared his thoughts on the tragedy with Raccoon Valley Radio.

“To lose two individuals like this is always difficult for a community, but it is great to see volunteer firefighters who responded, work through the night. Missing work and everything because they care about their town.”

Crews were called to the fire just after midnight Monday in the 1000 block of Main Street. The fire completely destroyed the home.

An investigation into the fire is being conducted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and DCI. The Guthrie and Greene County Sheriff’s offices and the Iowa State Patrol are assisting with the investigation. Anyone who may have information related to the  investigation is asked to call the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at 747-2214.

A donation fund has been set up at Peoples Trust and Savings Bank in Guthrie Center for the family of Shirley Exline.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.

Update from 5:33am.