They are in my prayers!

My college suitemate's daughter survived, but has been readmitted to the hospital. Sadly, her mother died from a brain tumor about 10 years ago. They owned the house. It just breaks my heart how much they have had to endure and now this. Such a horrible accident. I ask you to keep them in your continued prayers.

Here is a list of the victims with a profile for each (from The State newspaper):

http://thestate.com/news/story/215033.html

Four of the survivors were also listed in the paper, but I didn't see a link online. The owner's daughter was one and the brother of one of the victims was another. The other 2 listed were a Tri Delta and the young man who jumped from the 3rd floor into the canal below.

So all in all, it looks like three SAEs, three Tri-Delts and one DZ were lost in the fire.

So very heartbreaking for the Greek community, USC, Clemson, family, friends... continued prayers to all.

cause of fire
 

Smoking Caused Fire
 

http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/218573.html

"North Carolina investigators cannot rule out smoking as the cause of Sunday's fire at an Ocean Isle Beach home that claimed the lives of six USC students and one Clemson student, the State Bureau of Investigation said today.

Agents said the fire left so much damage that investigators could not pinpoint the cause, though they believe the fire began on a rear deck of the three-story home. Discarded smoking materials could have played a role, a preliminary report states.

Six of the 13 students staying at the house smoked, according to the local District Attorney Rex Gore.

The SBI said the investigation is not complete. It is awaiting toxicology test results on the seven victims, each of whom appeared to have died either of carbon monoxide poisoning or smoke inhalation.

Agents said that survivors told them that smoke detectors in the home sounded. But investigators are still looking into where the detectors were located and the brands of the devices.

Investigators continue to examine the speed at which the fire progressed and other "contributing factors."

The town’s mayor, Debbie Smith, read the report at a news conference but did not elaborate on its contents.

She said she knows national and international fire code officials have been debating whether to require household sprinklers, which the charred house at 1 Scotland St. did not have.

Though Smith was flanked by five local officials, none of the others would answer questions."

Memorial sevice Wednesday at the Koger Center

http://uscnews.sc.edu/ADMN310F-07.html

And a fund has been set up...

http://uscnews.sc.edu/STUD_Web090-07.html

It's the Koger Center, not the Kroger Center.

^^^^
As a USC alum, you would think I would know how to spell it. :p Thanks! :)

Tomorrow marks one year since the Carolina Beach Fire. Services and programs were held over the weekend to mark this tragic event.

The Tri-Delta story:

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/564299.html

The SAE Story:

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/564293.html

Remembrance service:

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/565523.html

That is so sad. You'd think something like that will never happen to you or anyone you know. And then it does. It scares me.