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A startling number to report 10 people have died in Lexington County house fires since the end of January, that's the most in the state. The latest victim died early Thursday morning. It happened just after 3:00 on Valley Stream Road. By the time crews arrived flames engulfed the home, a scene especially hard for one firefighter.

Chuck Gunter is a Lexington County firefighter he's battled blazes for several years, but Thursday morning's was different.

"When I heard dispatch say the address over the scanner I said that's my uncle's house, he's handicapped," says Gunter.

But he remained hopeful thinking it was just heavy smoke or his Uncle Billy had gotten out of the house. His positive thinking changed when he arrived.

"There was a wall of flames. It was as bad as it could get."

Gunter says his uncle was on oxygen and used to fall asleep smoking. That's what neighbors think happened because they say a loud explosion woke them up Thursday morning and flames immediately shot from the roof.

"It's still hard to take in," says Gunter.

He and his 7-year-old son set up a make shift memorial honoring Uncle Billy. Now he is relying on family to get him through.

"The biggest family you got is firemen. I don't remember how many people came up and asked if I'm ok. I'm just real appreciative," says Gunter.

William "Billy" Gunter died in Thursday morning's fire but his friend made it out. Neighbors say she did suffer burns but she's recovering at Lexington Hospital. The cause is still being investigated but many think the flames sparked from Gunter smoking while on oxygen. Something a Gaston man also did Thursday morning. Battalion chief Billy Gardner says the man's face caught on fire at his home on Fish Hatchery Road. Paramedics took the man to the Augusta Burn Center, where he's recovering. Gardner says don't smoke if you're on oxygen and be careful anytime when fire is involved.