A fire Wednesday at a Gardendale home has claimed the life of the home’s resident.

Nancy Janine Graham, 79, died in a fire that took place in a home on Mt. Olive Road.

Lt. Jason Murrell of the Gardendale Fire Department said they were notified of the fire at 11 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke billowing out of the three-bedroom wood-frame house in the 1400 block of Mt. Olive Road. Firefighters were told by a neighbor that there was a woman trapped inside; they then found Graham in the hallway.

The victim was declared dead at the scene.

Murrell said there were no other injuries from the fire. He added that a Gardendale Police officer, a city worker and another resident attempted to get Graham out of the house, but were turned back by the heavy smoke.

The fire did heavy damage to the kitchen area, with water damage to the rest of the house. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Funeral arrangements for Graham are incomplete.