NEW ELLENTON, S.C. (AP) -- A disabled man and woman have died after a fire swept through their Aiken County home.
Kevin Cauldwell, 32, and his stepsister Tammy Bryant, 24, likely died of smoke inhalation when their house caught fire around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.
Cauldwell, who had cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair, was found in a bedroom and Bryant, who had difficulty walking due to a birth defect, was found near the back door, deputy coroner Tim Carlton said.
The victims' mother was in the home when the fire started. She tried to get Bryant out of the home, then ran to a neighbor's house to call 911, Carlton said.
By the time firefighters arrived, half the home was in flames, New Ellenton Fire Department Chief Robby Foster said.
Local and state officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.
