Cassidy Pendley died Sunday in the beach house fire in North Carolina.
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. — One of seven college students who died when a massive fire engulfed a North Carolina beach house early Sunday morning is from North Charleston.
Friends of Cassidy Pendley told the Post and Courier Monday morning that the 2007 Fort Dorchester High School graduate was one of the victims, and several memorial pages have been posted on online social networking sites such as Facebook.com in her honor.
Cassidy, a college freshman, was one of six students attending the University of South Carolina who died in the blaze. The seventh student attended Clemson University. In total, 13 college students trekked to the Ocean Isle Beach house this weekend, and six survived the fire.
According to her friends, Cassidy was pledging USC's Delta Delta Delta sorority, where her 20-year-old sister Carly is a member. At Fort Dorchester, Cassidy was a National Honor Society member, cheerleader and played soccer for four years.
Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith said investigators told her the fire was likely accidental and started in the rear of the house, either on or near a deck facing a canal on the west side of the house. That side of the building appeared to have suffered the most damage. Earlier Monday, Smith had said the fire started on the deck.
"They may not be able to determine what started it," Smith said.
Though students heard through word of mouth which students survived, the names of the victims had not been officially announced. Classes went on as scheduled at the University of South Carolina Monday, but a garnet and black banner with the school's mascot, a Gamecock, flew at half-staff alongside an American flag outside a fraternity house. Two black ribbons were wrapped around the columns of another house.
Kaitlynn Forsyth, 20, a junior marketing major, said she learned about the fire while studying in the library Sunday night, and quickly went to the Internet to find out more.
"I seriously just sat there. It took everything not to cry," she said. "The more we looked at stuff, my heart just sank. I had to go back to studying to fight off my tears. I just imagine it could have been anybody."
The students had gathered at the home for the weekend to enjoy the fleeting beach weather. All that was left of the home Monday was a charred shell, and a burned-out car sat in the driveway, cordoned off with police tape.
The fire struck sometime before 7 a.m. and burned completely through the first and second floors, leaving only part of the frame standing. The waterfront home - named "Changing Channels" - was built on stilts, forcing firefighters to climb a ladder onto the house's deck to reach the first living floor.
One witness described seeing three students sitting on the ground screaming as the home burned, and another jumping from a window into a waterway. The heat was so intense the front door was too hot to open, preventing rescue attempts.
The burned home sits on one of a series of peninsulas, all tightly packed with homes, that are about two blocks from the beach and connect by canals. Several houses near the one that burned were filled with college students.
Officials said the group was staying at a house owned by the parents of one of the students. Many were friends from the Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said Dennis Pruitt, the school's dean of students.
Brandon Weghorst, spokesman for the national headquarters of the fraternity, said he believed at least three members were killed in the fire and that Sigma Alpha Epsilon was sending a chaplain to help students in Columbia.
"Any time you've got one death it's difficult, but multiple deaths can be overwhelming for a chapter," he said. "When a tragedy like that happens, especially to someone who's so young, it makes it more difficult."
Some of the people in the house had been friends since high school, said Rick Wylie of Greenville, who said his son Tripp jumped from the burning home.
"He's in shock," Wylie said. "It's just an incomprehensible thing for these parents."
Ashley Moore, a fashion merchandising senior at South Carolina, said one of her friends was in a sorority with the Clemson student. Her friend sent a message to her Sunday evening asking "to keep her sorority in mind because it was one of her sisters."
"I feel really bad for everybody. It's one of those events that you can't help but feel bad for anyone that's involved," said Moore, of Spartanburg. "You just give your sympathies to everyone involved and be grateful for the friends you have, keep them close."
Officials said grief counselors would be available for South Carolina's 27,000 students. Clemson on Monday said counseling also was being offered on its campus, about 140 miles northwest of the University of South Carolina.
The victims' bodies were taken to the state medical examiner's office in Chapel Hill, N.C. Smith said none had been identified.
Ocean Isle Beach is at the southern end of North Carolina's Atlantic Coast, about 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach. Only about 500 people live there year-round, but the town is home to several thousand rental and vacation homes and condos.
Reporter Andy Paras contributed to this report.
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Comments
FiddlerCrab7 (anonymous) says...
My thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends.
October 29, 2007 at 1:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brant (anonymous) says...
Why do these things happen?
October 29, 2007 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kerry (anonymous) says...
Nothing is more terrible than a fire...
Perhaps there is something to be learned from allowing rental homes to be occupied by more than a standard number of guest, which is frequently the case on the IOP as well.
Unfortunately, once again a cigarette is the most likely cause.
All sympathy goes to these families.
October 29, 2007 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christinader (anonymous) says...
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members and friends. What a tragic loss, it saddens me deeply.
October 29, 2007 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LadyTarHeel (anonymous) says...
My condolences go out the families of the students that lost their lives.
October 29, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
This is an awful tragedy. My prayers to the survivors and the victim families....
October 29, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wuagwan (anonymous) says...
All our sympathy goes out to these families. :*(
October 29, 2007 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gamecockgirl (anonymous) says...
I am a junior at the Univeristy of South Carolina and it is difficult to believe and almost impossible to understand how something so tragic could happen. We are a large community at Carolina but when something like this happens it affects everyone. This will make it 7 students who have passed away this semester. I pray that there will be no more tragedies and our student body can being to heal. My heart and prayers go out to the victims, survivors and their families.
October 29, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
This is a horrific accident. Unfortunately, I am led to the conclusion that alcohol MAY have played a part in this tragedy, because neighbors said that the students were partying late into the night.
My guess is that a wayward cigarette may have started the fire, and the students may have been too inebriated and disoriented to adequately find an escape route out of the house. Just a guess. So terribly sad for these kids to die like this.
October 29, 2007 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lfd760 (anonymous) says...
Nothing is more terrible than a fire...This is a horrific accident.
My heart goes out and my prayers go to the survivors and the victims families!!
October 29, 2007 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Hey Kerry, where did you get the information that "once again a cigarette is the most likely cause"...got something to back that statement up? And what do you mean once again? Is it at all possible that they had been grilling out and "once again" left hot coals in the grill on the rear deck where the investigators are saying the fire started? Why don't you just say it was caused "once again" by global warming or something else that you have a personal vendetta about?
And why do they need counselors and clergy on campus? I've lost many friends and family unexpectedly and never needed to be professionally counseled, and I should think if some college age adult needs access to clergy to help him or her "grieve" they wouldn't need the college to arrange it.
This is a tragic story and I feel sorry for friends and family, but the counseling in schools every time someone dies or has an accident or stubs a toe is something only a liberal could have dreamed up.
October 29, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hoak1218 (anonymous) says...
you're kidding right?...they have counselors and clergy come because they are young kids. There are some people who...SURPRISE!! aren't as grounded and mature as you are that need help provided for them because chances are they wont go seek it on their own. It just makes it easier to help people through the tragedy. Please...you your brain.
I don't think any of you know what happened and you should keep your negative opinions to yourself. How insensitive of you to go placing blame when you yourself have no idea. They were trapped...not blinded by alcohol and couldn't find the door. That's the stupidest statement I have yet to read.
October 29, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hoak1218 (anonymous) says...
And I do know the victim from charleston...and Im very tired and sad about reading all of the negative comments people are posting. Please stop...please please...I would hope you would have some sympathy for the families and friends and cut it out. Like me, they do not want to read this sort of thing, its rude and heartless.
October 29, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
What a terrible tragedy. My deepest sympathy to all affected.
Gee Major, I must ask: What is your beef with the college providing counselors? People quite naturally need support during a loss. Some of these students may be far away from loved ones to support them. Consider also the terrible shock of the type of loss this is-seven young people in the prime of their lives suddenly gone. While all dearh is sad, this is a whole different pill to swallow than the loss of, say, a grandmother or grandfather dying of old age. It's a different dynamic. And no, I am not a counselor...
Like you, I've experienced many deaths, bourne of many different circumstances, in my almost 45 years and did not necessarily "need" a counselor, either. It is nonetheless a service of value for those who may need it. And trust me, anyone can benefit. I lost my aunt, uncle, and mother quite suddenly, very close together over a two year period and it was tough. My mom's death was the last one almost four years ago. I went to counseling about a year after her death - that's when the reality that she was never, ever coming back really sunk in for me. I did it just to have someone I could "dump" on without subjecting my friends and family to it - and it helped. Would I have gotten through the situation ok wihout it? Probably. But I am glad I went because I was able to be a better wife, business woman, and mother with it and function more normally.
October 29, 2007 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FortDorchesterMom (anonymous) says...
Cassidy was a beautiful, funny young woman. It was my pleasure to have known her, my family and I will miss her terribly. My heart bleeds for her family, and we pray that God will hold them in his arms during this time.
October 29, 2007 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kling (anonymous) says...
This is a horrible tragedy, no matter what the circumstances!! My sympathy to the families.
October 29, 2007 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ahoward2165 (anonymous) says...
To the families of those who perished in the fire, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God's peace be with you all.
October 29, 2007 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obrbob (anonymous) says...
The time for pointing fingers and laying blame are not now. May these children find their way and see the face of their maker. My deepest sympathies to the familes and friends of these children May God rest their souls and keep those still here.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
October 29, 2007 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
my heart and prayers go to this family and also remember there is now outdoor fire grills that can be unattened as well since speculation is it started on the deck maybe?
another sweet child lost to tragedy
October 29, 2007 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jscampb (anonymous) says...
Thank you Hoak and MooMoo. Criticism of the school, or anyone at a time like this shows a great lack of sensitivity. Please have some respect. I hope that I never have to go through what the parents of these students are going through right now.
October 29, 2007 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
To all of the families and friends involved: My deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers go out to each and everyone of you.
Do not heed any of the negative comments, as to what caused the fire does not matter now.
Please know that many people are praying for you all, eventhough most can only imagine your pain.
October 29, 2007 at 5:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glovla (anonymous) says...
this is so sad but unfortunately hoak 1218 some people are heartless and have nothing else to do but stir the pot and add negativity to something that has already affected the lives of so many. May God bless the families of these young students and may they rest in peace
October 29, 2007 at 6:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RYANPIXLER (anonymous) says...
who are any of you to speculate on something you weren't there for? if all you've got are negative comments on a subject some of us actually are heartbroken by, then please keep them to yourselves. cassidy was so beautiful, and she had so many great things ahead of her. if anyone noticed, the weather's been colder since the accident, and that means something to me. in this case, the world was cheated. she really had so much to offer.
October 29, 2007 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chelsealyssand (anonymous) says...
Cassidy was such a caring, beautiful, intelligent, athletic, well-rounded young lady. Anyone who knew her was blessed by her presence. I am so glad to be able to call her a dear friend and a team mate.
I wish people could respect Cassidy and her family and stop posting negative, insensitive, unintelligent comments.
God bless you Cassidy. We are praying for you and your family. We know you will be watching down on us. Your smile lit up the world.
October 29, 2007 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
my sincere condolences to the families and friends, what a horrible thing to happen
and I pray for healing for all that are affected and for the injured
most college kids party some, it's just a fact of life but that in no way should be used against anyone in a tragedy like this
there's a reason they call them "accidents"
for those that have anything more to say than to give condolences kick back and imagine this is someone in your family...
October 29, 2007 at 7:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myssquetpie (anonymous) says...
For several months now, I have had the "pleasure" of sitting back and reading some of the entries posted by the many "investigators, lawyers, judges, and in this case fire inspectors" of the low county. I thought about posting a blog to the many responders who had so much to say during the Sametta Heyward case. This case comes to mind quickly because The Heyward's are my extended family. Nevertheless, it is with extreme petulance that I decided to comment today to bloggers like Kerry and two Sheds to whom my conjecture is that you know these students personally or perhaps were there "partying with them late into the night." I am deeply saddened to know that this is the way that the community "bonds." We post blogs regarding alleged facts and experiences of others. The families of those lost in the fire are already suffering enough!!! Who are we to judge!! Moreover, thanks to some of the friends or family members of the bereaved, it is safe to surmise that at least Casidy was a beautiful person and far be it for you, "GODs," to denigrate her good name. I offer my condolences out to the families who lost their loved ones in the fire.
October 29, 2007 at 7:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
I am sorry for your loss.
October 29, 2007 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerwin1959 (anonymous) says...
Some of these comments are disgusting. I live in Greenville, and my daughters have lost FOUR of their friends from high school. The sophomore from USC who jumped out of the 3rd floor and knew Cassidy is a neighbor of ours.
"Major", you are one sick individual to think these kids don't need counseling.
In the Upstate, we are grieving for the loss of our sons and daughters --- regardless of who they were, where they were from, and who they knew.
One of the survivors, who is from our high school, agreed to an interview. If you want to view it, go to www.wyff4.com
He knew Cassidy and cared for her.
Our heart is broken for these young adults. God bless all of them.
October 29, 2007 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerwin1959 (anonymous) says...
according to the g'ville media, officials have ruled out the "chimenea" as the cause of the fire. NOTHING has been said at this point about a cigarette. They feel at this point that is may have come from a grill.
It doesn't matter. It's still tragic that young adults will never realize their potential. We will love them forever.
October 29, 2007 at 8:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cubfan (anonymous) says...
Fort Dorchester is going through a really rough time right now. These kids DO need counseling and love and support. I did not know Cassidy but it seems like she was a lovely girl.
I hope the Fort family pulls together to get through this and the other tragedy they are dealing with right now. My heart goes out to her family and all the other families that lost loved ones in this fire. Anybody who is making negative comments at a time like this has serious problems. The only thing anyone needs right now is love and support to help them grieve. Practice what your mother's SHOULD have taught you-if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all...especially when a group of promising young adults have lost their lives.
October 29, 2007 at 8:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
da9 (anonymous) says...
It's sad to hear that a young woman with a promising future has perished. I think the best thing we can do is pray for her friends and family along with the other students who passed. There's never a day that goes by that we do things so non chalantly that we don't think of what the end result of our actions could be. How tragic.
October 29, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Kerwin 1959
Thanks for the link.
I think it would be best to save the analysis for a later article.
October 29, 2007 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
da9 (anonymous) says...
Cubfan, Fort has a great way of dealing with grief. While I was a student there, a beautiful girl named Theresa suffered a brain tumor and passed. All of the staff came together the evening of graduation (which was prior to her passing) and held a private graduation for her. I'm sure they will take care of everyone who knew Ms. Penley along with her fellow classmates at USC.
October 29, 2007 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cubfan (anonymous) says...
Fort is a wonderful family da9, you are lucky to have been a student there. My son wrestled for Fort and that team was like a family (he graduated in '06) and my daughter swims for Fort. I have never seen teams as close as the Patriots are to one another. I know this will help them tremendously in the days to come. It's a very special place with a lot of great kids. I pray for these kids.
October 29, 2007 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bhearn (anonymous) says...
My daughter was on the cheerleading squad with Cassidy. She was a beautiful young woman, who touched many lives. All of those who lost a loved one are in our prayers.
October 29, 2007 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jordanmoyer (anonymous) says...
I personally knew Cassidy. We had several classes together in high school and became good friends. In 11th grade, we were in an educational group together called Palmetto Youth Leadership, or PYL. Cassidy is a great girl and a great friend. My heart goes out to all of her loved ones during this time of hurt and mourning.
-Jordan Moyer
FDHS Senior 2007
October 29, 2007 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
I am so sorry to all of you who are suffering. My heart breaks for all the victims, their friends and families, and for each and every one of you who knew/know the victims and their friends and families. I am praying for all of you - please know you have my deepest sympathy.
October 29, 2007 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
I'm not at all unsympathetic to the people who lost friends or loved ones here. It's a tragedy and heartbreak to them, and I certainly feel for them. My only point was that if the kids who attend the same schools as them need professional counseling to help them grieve there is something very wrong. When I was a child in grade school I lost a couple of friends in different events and I survived and managed to grieve without the school bringing in counselors...and I was in grade school and actually knew the kids for petes sake. My mother lost a 6 month old child when she was 17, but she didn't need counseling to be able to grieve and get on with her life and have 3 other children. My best friends mother died in a car accident, no counselors, we managed to grieve.
This bit about the school bringing in counselors is just plain crap dreamed up by people who don't think anyone can handle life without a personal professional shrink to hold their hand through it. Bad things happen, people die, it sucks, but it's part of life. If we raise a generation thinking that professional counseling is required for every bad thing that happens we're gonna have one sorry future in store.
October 29, 2007 at 10:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pygmon (anonymous) says...
And you majorjohnson are an insensitive a$s.
October 29, 2007 at 11:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whycantitbebetterhere (anonymous) says...
Major Johnson, you doofus. I have had tradgedies too, and while I thought I was fine at the time, later, I was not. I would have benefitted from something like these schools are doing, and it is nice that they do it. This is not the place for your to air your "problems" with counseling. Obviously you were and are not fine, because you are still inappropriately referring to something that happened to you, a very long time ago. If you had ever been to a counselor, you would know that. I am so sorry for the families that lost their children. I am so sorry they have to read the bad with the good comments.
October 29, 2007 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cherylmedic911 (anonymous) says...
Dear Parents and College Kids,
I am a paramedic and have been for many (20)years and have seen the best and the worst of people. I woke up this morning to see the news online of the fire and my heart just sank! My daughter is a new college student and is also from Clemson! The news was very careful not to name any one and I was horrified and called my daughter and there was no answer...The hours were unbelieveably long today until I finally called the campus police at the College of Charleston at 6pm tonight to which they went to check on my daughter.She was a bit upset with me for sending the police to check on her but once I explained she understood.I am a mother first and then I am her best friend. She finally called and told me she was fine but I must say...It scared me to death because this could have been any one of our children.Hold your families tight and love them strongly! I was filled with grief for the families of these beautiful children and I know somewhere somehow life will go on..But it will never be the same for many of you who knew these people and loved them.Please know that no matter what you hear,who say's it, and how badly you may feel,no one can replace the lives that that were taken at the beach house.Lean on your faith in God and friends and make sure you always remember how these people who died lived, not how they died.That will help keep their memories alive for ever.God Bless all of you who are hurting tonight.... Cheryl Lassiter-Director
Volunteer Mobile Emergency Response Unit
1712 E.Riverside Dr.#267
Austin,Texas 78741
E-mail: director@rehabsector.org
Web site: www.rehabsector.org
October 30, 2007 at 12:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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