LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — Two deadly houses over the weekend left nearby residents shocked and grieving.

A house fire in the 1600 block of B Avenue in West Columbia claimed the life of 65-year-old Lila Ann Gunter Sunday morning. Lexington County Corners office reports the fire started just before 4 A.M. and West Columbia Fire Department says the fire took about 30 minutes to get under control.

Neighbors say they saw smoke coming from the back corner of the home before flames quickly spread through the building. James Kendrick, a nearby resident, was shocked by the loss of Gunter.

"I was hoping [Gunter] wasn't in there [the home] but once I found out she was, it just makes you feel so bad and hopeless that you don't know what to do," Kendrick said.

Another house fire on Sunday in the 3

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