Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

43 people have died in South Carolina house fires just this year. That's a record high but fire officials say they have a plan to lower it.

Columbia Deputy Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins says one person dies every 72 hours in house fires across the state. Jenkins says one death is one too many. That's why he and other firefighters are going to the statehouse to raise awareness...

"We plan on doing a whole lot more education so hopefully we can reduce those numbers," says Jenkins.

Those numbers are highest in Lexington County where 10 people have died in residential blazes since the first of the year. Earlier this month, Billy Gunter died in a mobile home fire. His nephew says Gunter was on oxygen and would sometimes fall asleep while smoking.

"I'm still trying to get over it," says Gunter.

Officials say a number of things can start a fire, from space heaters to careless cooking. That's why it's imperative to be safety conscious and have a back up plan.

"The key is to make sure to get an early warning device. The best device is a smoke detector supplemented with a sprinkler as well," says Jenkins.

Wednesday morning firefighters will be battling something other than blazes. Crews will be at the statehouse making legislators aware of fire safety importance. 

The SC State Firefighters' Association will be holding a press converence along with the annual Firefighter's Legislative Day.  The press conference will be Wednesday April, 29 at 9:45 a.m. on the ground floor at the statehouse.  It will highlight firefighter concerns such as: public safety and well being, fire and life safety education.