(Clarinda, Iowa) – A fire last week in Clarinda claimed the life of a 65-year-old man. Authorities on Monday identified the victim of Thursday evening’s fire as Steven Gail McCurdy. The blaze occurred late Thursday evening at 709 E. Lincoln Street, in Clarinda.

According to Clarinda Fire Chief Roger Williams, the cause of the fire was accidental, or at least undetermined, due to considerable damage to the residence. The residence was a total loss.

Clarinda police officers arriving at the scene before firefighters, tried to gain entry into the home to rescue McCurdy, but were forced to retreat due to heavy smoke and heat. Firefighters made entry into the house and extricated McCurdy from his home, but were unsuccessful in their efforts to revive him.

Clarinda Fire was assisted during the incident by firefighters from New Market, Clarinda Police, Clarinda EMS and MidAmerican Energy.