WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Authorities have identified a woman found dead in an early morning West Columbia fire.

The West Columbia Fire Department said crews responded to the 1600 block of B Avenue just before 4 a.m. due to a burning home. Crews said they found heavy fire when they arrived, and a search of the home led to the discovery of one deceased person.

On Saturday night, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed that the deceased was 65-year-old Lila Ann Gunter of West Columbia. An autopsy has been scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine her official cause and manner of death.

Officials reported that the fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes. The department, Lexington County Fire Service, the state fire m

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