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Lightning strike kills 1, injures 2 during Fourth of July cookout in South Carolina

A lightning strike killed one person and injured two others during a Fourth of July cookout in South Carolina, The State reported.

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Fire officials said the incident happened in Georgetown County, the newspaper reported.

According to the Georgetown County Coroner's Office, Ryan Gamble, 44, of Andrews, died when the lightning hit the group, WBTW reported.

Georgetown County Assistant Fire Chief Tony Hucks told the television station three people were affected. Earlier, Sam Hodge, of Georgetown County Emergency Management, said several people had been struck by lightning near Lawshe Plantation and were being taken to the hospital.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. Thursday

A homeowner said a group of people were grilling pork chops when a bolt of lightning struck and splintered a nearby tree, WCSC reported.

Edward Williams said of the grillers came to his door and asked him to call 911.

"Luckily the phone worked and I called to get help and then I just took off to go meet the ambulance," Williams told WCSC.