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1-year-old child, grandmother dead after SC house fire, coroner says

A grandmother and her 1-year-old grandson are dead after a house caught fire in Saluda County.

SALUDA COUNTY, S.C. — A grandmother and her 1-year-old grandson are dead after a house caught fire in Saluda County.

Crews responded to the fire at a house in the 100 block of Birdsong Lane Friday morning just after 9:30. When one Saluda County lieutenant arrived at the scene, he found a 4-year-old shouting for help.

"[The lieutenant] could see the smoke coming out of the house," said Saluda County Sheriff John C. Perry. "He picked up the child to try to enter, and the grandmother, he was talking to the grandmother telling her what to do to get out of the house."

Volunteer firefighters from several counties joined efforts to extinguish the spreading flames. However, as soon as fire crews ran inside the building, they made a painful discovery.

"Within entering, they finally found the grandmother, and shortly after, one of the officers found the small child," said Perry.

One adult and two children were taken to a local hospital, but a grandmother, 63-year-old Karen Metts Blanset, and her grandson, 16-month-old John Michael Burton Hall, fell victim to the fire.

The 4-year-old found shouting upon arrival was treated, but has since been released.

"Saluda County is a close-knit community and everybody feels the pain, but when you have to go work a child, it's hard," said Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner.

Officials are still trying to figure out what caused the fire, but they are asking for the community's prayers during this difficult time.

"Anytime something like this takes place, it's taken a toll on our men and women because we think dearly of our citizens in Saluda County," Perry said. "Keep Saluda County, the Sheriff's Office, the Coroner's Office and everyone involved in this, the firemen, EMS personnel in your prayers because it's a sad day."

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