COLUMBIA, S.C. — A family is grieving the loss of a loved one following a Sunday evening fire.
The fired happened in the 100 block of Newberry Avenue in Sumter when a single family home caught on fire. The fire took approximately 45 minutes to get under control with 18 firefighters working to put it out.
Family members identify the man who died as 86 year-old Edward Brunson.
Tiffany Brown, Brunson's great niece, said she was extremely close with Brunson. "He always had this beautiful glow on his face and always a smile as well," she recalled to News19.
Overall, Brown remembers her great uncle as a strong souled man.
"He would always tell me every time he sees me, he would tell me 'Niece, you're so strong' and I always thought I wasn't the strongest one because he was the strongest one," Brown said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Brunson, known to family and friends as Ned, lived a life full of fishing, going to church, and being there for family no matter what it took.
"He was our hero," Brown said.
Tiffany said her uncle wouldn't have wanted to leave what had been his home for nearly a half century.
"You know when older people grow old, they have their stubborn ways but there's nothing like their home," she said. "They feel like this is my home and I'm going to make it my home, and that's what he did. This was his home and he was always ready to go back home."
With Brown now grieving the loss of her uncle only two months following her mother's passing, she holds onto what he saw in her.
"Once someone tells you something about yourself, it's always going to be something you have to remind yourself of and think of them in a good, special way," Brown said. "He always kept in his heart and always told me, 'niece you're always so strong.'"
Brown added that she will remember the advice he gave her when her mom passed, and know he will always be there in spirit.
"He said, 'niece, it's going to be okay, just never forget I'm going to always be here,'" Brown recalled.
At the time of the fire, Brunson was the only person in the home.
News19 did speak to the Sumter Coroner's Office and was told the autopsy of Brunson will be completed Wednesday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation according to the Sumter Sheriff's Department.