(Michigan City, IN) - Two people were taken to a hospital Monday after waking up to their home on fire in Michigan City.

Firefighters about 3:40 a.m. were called to a residence on William St. and found heavy smoke and flames, said Michigan City Fire Department spokesperson Tia Eckwood.

Eckwood said the investigation revealed both residents were asleep on the second floor when one of the residents woke up to a bad smell and went downstairs to discover the fire.  A neighbor who happened to be awake at the time put a ladder up to the second floor balcony of the home to help the other individual escape.

One of the residents suffered burns while both of them wound up with smoke inhalation, she said.  A firefighter was also transported to a hospital and later released.

Eckwood also said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.   

According to investigators, the fire began somewhere in the living room but exactly where and the cause remain under investigation.