By Noah Feit
The State
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina woman was arrested after her three young children were left alone in deplorable conditions and were critically injured in a Monday night house fire, according to Columbia officials.
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The children’s mother, Zana Oden, was charged with three counts unlawful conduct toward a child, the Columbia Police Department said in a Tuesday night news release. Oden, who was not at the Floran Street home when the children were rescued by the Columbia Fire Department and later tried to evade arrest by hiding in a closet, could face more charges, according to the release.
No bond has been set for the 28-year-old woman who is being held in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, jail records show.
The young victims
After getting rescued from the house fire, Oden’s children — who are 6, 4 and 2 years old — were taken to a local hospital by Richland County EMS before being transferred to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia , the fire department said.
The children suffered severe burns and are in critical but stable condition as they continue to be treated in the Augusta hospital, police said in the release.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services has also stepped in as the children were living in deplorable conditions even before the fire happened, officials said.
The State recently reported that a child younger than 9 years old should not be left home alone, even for a short period of time, according to Prisma Health Pediatrician Dr. Deborah Greenhouse.
“Our thoughts remain with the children as they fight to recover,” Police Chief Skip Holbrook said in the release. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation, holding those responsible accountable and ensuring justice is served.”
The fire
At about 9:30 p.m. Monday, crews responded to the Floran Street home and saw smoke coming from the building, fire department officials said. That’s in a part of Columbia between North Main Street and S.C. 277.
Firefighters forced their way inside the home through the front door and immediately encountered heavy smoke and rapidly deteriorating interior conditions, according to the fire department. The fire was located in the front of the home, officials said.
During a search of the home, firefighters located three children in, and near, several bedrooms, the fire department said. The children were brought outside, provided immediate medical care for severe burn injuries before being taken to medical facilities, according to the fire department.
While the children were getting rescued, the fire was brought under control, the fire department said.
No other injuries were reported in the incident where more 30 firefighters responded, according to officials.
Criminal investigation
No parent or adult was at the home when the fire department responded to the burning building, police said. Oden was tracked down at an apartment at 100 Ripplemeyer Avenue, according to police. That’s about 2 miles from the home that burned in the fire.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by police, along with the Richland County Fire Marshal and SLED. Suspected arson is being investigated, the fire department said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 803-545-3525, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit tips online.
“This is a heartbreaking incident that has deeply impacted our entire community,” Holbrook said. “We are grateful for the courageous actions of our firefighters, EMS personnel and police officers whose swift response gave these children a chance to survive.”
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