Coroner Bubba Matthews says Mary Bell, 79, and her daughter Lorena Bell, 56, died in a fire at their home on Fore Road in Florence County Monday morning.
Matthews says their bodies are being sent to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston for an autopsy to confirm cause of death.
Windy Hill Fire Chief John DeLung says a neighbor called 911 just before 5 a.m. saying there was smoke coming from the home.
Delung says it took 15 firefighters about 40 minutes to put out the fire.
At this point, Delung says they have no preliminary cause of the fire. They don't think the fire is suspicious, but they've turned the investigation over to the Florence County Sheriff's Office.
Dozens of the victims family members gathered outside the home and watched as crews battled the blaze. Many were very emotional.
"I just couldn't believe it at the moment when I first (arrived). I just couldn't believe it until I got here and I still can't believe it," said Shirley McFadden.
"That's my aunt. A real loving, caring person. My aunt was the type of woman she taught all of us. She was just like a mother instead of an aunt. God knows, I hate it happened like this. Her and her daughter, my cousin Rena. They were just beautiful people," said McFadden.
Deputies are expected to release more information about the fire Monday afternoon. Autopsy results could be in Tuesday morning.
