ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
An elderly woman and her male friend died after a fire gutted their home.
The flames erupted just before noon Tuesday on Mountain View Circle.
Flames and smoke raced through the home, trapping the victims Frank Bitterman II, 68 and Peggy Stanich, 78,.
The pain is almost too great for the brother of the female victim, James Watson, to bear.
"A loss, I lost my sister. That's a devastation," Watson said. "Any time you lose somebody in your family, it's close."
Stanish and Bennerman suffered from long-term health problems and used air tanks to breathe Watson said.
Neighbors were distraught when they heard the news about the tragedy.
Bennie Wortman never expected something so awful would strike so close to home.
"It's just tragic. I don't know what to think," Wortman said. "Always see it on the news everywhere. And you look out your window and you see it next door."
Michelle Smith said losing her next door neighbor was like losing family.
"She said I was like the sister she never had," Smith said. "She was a sweet lady, a real sweet lady."
Stanich was an active participant in the County's Olivia Haydel Senior Center. Bitterman was a retired veteran.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
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