By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Three children, ages 2, 4, and 6, were rescued from a house fire Monday night on Floran Street in Columbia, South Carolina, and suffered severe burns while left alone in the home.
- Zana Oden, 28, the children’s mother, was charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child; she was not at the home when firefighters responded and was located at an apartment 2 miles away.
- The children were transported to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, and are in critical but stable condition; South Carolina Department of Social Services is investigating deplorable living conditions that existed before the fire.
- Columbia firefighters forced entry through heavy smoke and rapidly deteriorating conditions; more than 30 firefighters responded to the incident occurring around 9:30 p.m.
- Police, Richland County Fire Marshal, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are investigating suspected arson; Police Chief Skip Holbrook praised rapid first responder action for giving the children a chance to survive.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Three young children were rescued Monday night from a house fire on Floran Street after Columbia firefighters forced entry into the burning home, bringing out the children who suffered severe burns during what authorities allege was an act of criminal child neglect.
Firefighters responded to reports of smoke coming from the residence at approximately 9:30 p.m. and encountered heavy smoke and rapidly deteriorating interior conditions upon entry. The fire was located in the front section of the home.
During a search of the structure, firefighters located three children in and near several bedrooms. The children were removed from the home and provided immediate emergency medical care for severe burn injuries. Richland County EMS transported the children to a local hospital before they were transferred to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, for specialized burn treatment.
The three children—ages 6, 4, and 2—are reported in critical but stable condition as they continue receiving care at the Augusta facility. More than 30 firefighters responded to the incident. No other injuries were reported.
Zana Oden, 28, the mother of the children, was not at the home when firefighters arrived. Police located Oden at an apartment located approximately 2 miles from the Floran Street address. According to Columbia Police, Oden attempted to evade arrest by hiding in a closet before being taken into custody.
Oden has been charged with three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. No bond has been set, and authorities indicated she may face additional charges.
Police Chief Skip Holbrook stated that officers are conducting a thorough investigation to identify all individuals responsible and to ensure justice is served. Holbrook praised the swift response of firefighters, EMS personnel, and police officers, stating that rapid action gave the children a chance to survive.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services is investigating allegations that the children were living in deplorable conditions even before the fire occurred.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by Columbia Police, the Richland County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Suspected arson is being examined as a possible cause. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Columbia Police at 803-545-3525 or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC.