ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A house fire on North Ingleside Drive in Albany has led to the death of a 71-year-old woman.

According to officials, the fire began in the woman’s bedroom at around 9:20 a.m. today. The fire reportedly started in her bed, which may have been caused by the woman’s smoking habits. The woman, who was blind, was found in her home when emergency responders arrived.

The Albany Police Department (APD) was called to the scene shortly after the fire started, and the fire was found to have extinguished itself before firefighters arrived. According to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler, the woman later identified as Jessie Adkins, could not be saved and she was pronounced dead at around 9:50 a.m.

At this time, the APD is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Authorities are focusing on the possibility that it was linked to smoking materials.

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