Ocean Isle fire survivor speaks as anniversary approaches

Next week is the first anniversary of the Ocean Isle Beach House Fire that killed seven college students from South Carolina.

Six went to USC and one went to Clemson.

All were staying at a beach house in Ocean Isle when the house caught fire and went up in flames. 

On Thursday, a remembrance concert was held at Five Points in Columbia.

It included a memorial slideshow and two bands.

Money raised from sponsorships and T-shirt sales will go to a memorial scholarship.

Tripp Wylie was close friends with the seven who died.

He was in the house the night of the fire and escaped by jumping out a third-floor window.

He said he was glad to be a part of the remembrance.

“I don’t want to say I’ve gotten past the point where I’ve blocked it out of my mind. You know, I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. But, you know, just the concert and everything coming up, the remembrance and all that stuff, is a really good thing, so it’s just on a more positive note,” he said.