A Friday morning fire claimed the life of a 76-year-old Shobonier woman.

According to authorities, heavy flames pushed back EMS and a Fayette County Sheriff’s deputy who first attempted to enter the home.

Vandalia firefighters responded to the home on East 920 Avenue just before 10 a.m. Friday.

Upon their arrival, they found the structure fully involved with heavy fire and smoke.

Patoka and St. Peter firefighters responded with mutual aid for both water trucks and manpower to help fight the blaze.

Fayette County Coroner David Hejl is withholding the victim’s name until her identity could be confirmed with a Saturday autopsy. Hejl says the woman lived alone and no one else was in the home. He also says the body was badly burned.

According to Hejl, the cause of the fire is pending investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.