Cigarette blamed after several homes go up in flames in Lancaster Co.

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By Stephanie Tinoco and Glenn Counts

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — Three homes were destroyed and five others were damaged after a fire broke out in a retirement community in Lancaster County.

The fire started at the rear of a house because a cigarette was not extinguished. The ashes were blown by the high winds into the pine straw and grass surrounding the house.

[IMAGES: Fire destroys homes in the Sun City community in Lancaster County]

"This wind really fought against us,” Lancaster County Fire Marshal Russell Rogers said. “It was really hard to control the embers. We even had an ember go about a mile away and start a brush fire we had to quickly extinguish."

Firefighters received a call just after 3:30 p.m. Thursday about a brush fire in the Sun City Carolina Lakes community off of Highway 521 in Indian Land.

A resident told Channel 9 that they received an automated call from the property management company saying that some houses were on fire on Daffodil Court.

"The flames were just shooting like crazy," neighbor Steve Roberts said.

The company told residents to stay away from the area, especially if they have breathing problems.

The Lancaster County Emergency Management director said there are no injuries. He also said the high winds and low humidity weren't helping the firefighters battle the flames.

"Honestly, this is kind of our worst nightmare," Rogers said.

"We got our little safe out, which is right there, which has some valuable papers in it and basically everything else is gone,” Campbell said.

The smell of smoke woke him up from his nap.

Officials said there was no criminal intent so there will be no charges.

Many homes there have pine needles and it was required but three years ago, management changed the rule giving residents a choice.

Maryann Lippert and Linda Trueworth switched to bark and they want to see everyone else do the same.

"Hopefully, it changes their decision, as far as using pine straw,” Trueworthy said. “Use some other type of mulch that's not as flammable."

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