Ocean Isle Beach plans memorial to students who died in fire

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) _ A cross-shaped monument will be unveiled this week at Ocean Isle Beach to honor seven South Carolina college students killed in a beach house fire last October.

The Star-News of Wilmington reported Wednesday the monument will be at the base of the Odell Williamson Bridge. A private donor is providing the cross, which will have each victim’s name.

A memorial service will be held Friday, but Town Administrator Daisy Ivey said the victims’ families asked that the event be private.

The five-bedroom home was engulfed in flames as the students gathered to enjoy one of the season’s last weekends of pleasant beach weather. Six students from USC survived, including one who jumped from a window of the burning home and into an adjacent canal.

The University of South Carolina students killed were: Cassidy Pendley, 18; Astrid Mahon, 18; Justin Michael Anderson, 19; Travis Lane Cale, 19; Allison Walden, 18; and William Rhea, 18.

Clemson University student Emily Yelton, 18, also died.

The seven died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. State medical examiners concluded there was no evidence of any other injuries.