Seven people were displaced after fires broke out in two separate residences in West Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.

County of Lexington emergency personnel responded to a residential structure fire call in the 4000 block of Florentine Road just before 1:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, Lexington County firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames coming from two structures located on the property. Firefighters began fire attack operations on both structures by using hand lines and the main line on one ladder truck.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fires in both buildings and prevent fire damage to neighboring residences. The two primary structures located on the property, which included a main residence as well as a finished apartment over a garage, were determined to be a total loss.

Although the neighboring structures did not suffer from direct fire damage, indirect heat damage did occur on the structures’ exteriors.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire. The American Red Cross was called into assist with the residents who were displaced.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will investigate the cause and origin of the fire, due to the number of structures involved, as well as the high-dollar loss, which has yet to be determined.

In total, 45 personnel from the Lexington County Fire Service, Lexington County EMS, West Columbia Fire Department and the Cayce Department of Public Safety responded to the incident. Irmo Fire District also provided standby support.

The Tuesday afternoon fire is one of several that have broken out in Lexington County since the weekend. One of those fires included a fatality.