GRINNELL (AP) - Three people have been taken to the hospital after a house fire at a Grinnell home.

Authorities believe the fire started early Sunday morning when the home's owner fell asleep on the couch while smoking.

Three people who were in the house were taken to Grinnell Regional Medical Center to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

The people in the house have not been identified and no information was available about their condition.

Authorities say it took 22 Grinnell firefighters approximately three hours to extinguish the blaze with assistance from he Grinnell Police Department, Gilman Fire Department and Kellogg Fire Department.

---