UPDATE July 2, 2026 - Zana Oden appeared at a bond hearing Wednesday, July 1, 2026, where a judge granted her a $300,000 cash or surety bond. The father of one of her three children was also arrested and granted bond.
The fire happened Monday night while the children, ages 6, 4, and 2, were home alone. Each suffered severe burns and is currently receiving treatment at the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. All three are listed in critical but stable condition.
According to the prosecutor, the children had been left alone for nearly a week.
The Columbia Police Department announced a community relief initiative has been launched through the Columbia Police Foundation to help the three children.
Zana Oden's next court date is set for September 25 at 10:00 a.m.
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Mother of three arrested in connection with Columbia, SC house fire; possible arson under investigation...
Monday night, June 29, 2026, the Columbia Fire Department, along with several other agencies, responded to a house fire where three children were rescued from the home, but not before suffering severe burns. The children, ages 6, 4, and 2, remain in critical but stable condition at the JMS Burn CenterMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.
According to Columbia Police, the children's mother, Zana Oden, was not at the home when the fire started. Investigators later located Oden at another residence, where police say she attempted to evade officers by hiding in a closet.
Zana Oden; arrested and charged with three counts of Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child.Columbia Police Dept.
Oden was arrested and charged with three counts of Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child.
Investigators say additional charges remain under review as the investigation continues.
An update provided by the Columbia Fire Department said the South Carolina Department of Social Services has also been called in. Officials say the children were living in "deplorable" conditions even before Monday nights incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
"This afternoon [Tuesday, June 30, 2026] Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins and Columbia Police Deputy Chief Melron Kelly provided an update concerning last nights house fire on Floran Street. The children who were rescued from the home are six, four and two years old and at this time they are still in critical condition at the JMS Burn Center in Augusta.
Their mother has been located and taken into custody by CPD and will face criminal charges. South Carolina Department of Social Services has also stepped in as the children were living in ‘deplorable’ conditions even before last nights incident occurred. Meanwhile the cause of the fire remains under investigation."
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June 30, 2026
Columbia South Carolina house fire under investigation for suspected arson and child endangerment.... Multiple fire crews from Columbia and Richland County responded to a house fire Monday night, June 29, 2026. Firefighters forced their way into the home and encountered heavy smoke and rapidly deteriorating conditions inside. Three children were rescued from the house, treated for severe burn injuries, and later transferred to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta for further treatment. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control during the rescue. More than 30 firefighters responded to the scene. The Columbia Police Department is leading the criminal investigation.
