Oden Music Company Fire Ruled Case of Arson

Oden Music Company on North 26th Street in what is known as the Alabama City portion of Gadsden, went up in flames during the early morning hours of Wednesday, and WEIS Radio spoke with Gadsden Fire Department Fire Marshal, Jason Talton, Friday morning, regarding the blaze:

We also spoke with City of Gadsden Assistant Fire Chief Craig Cannon Wednesday morning, around 8:30, and at the time he informed us that as firefighters responded to the two-alarm blaze they witnessed smoke billowing from the rooftop of the structure.  He said shortly after firefighters entered the building the roof collapsed and three members of his department were injured.  They were taken to an area hospital for treatment of what, fortunately, turned out to be only minor injuries and were subsequently released. Firefighters were still on the scene as of mid-morning Wednesday putting out hot spots and the Fire Marshall and authorities began their investigation.

Oden Music had been out of business for more than a year; however, it appears there was a small amount of inventory still being stored inside.  Reportedly – there was no power to the building.  

Earlier in the week – Calhoun County Circuit Judge Debra Jones sentenced 48 year old Jason Dale Campbell Oden to 20 years in prison and she levied $30,000 in fines against him; Oden was given credit for time served in the amount of 461 days.   

He was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the All Saints Catholic Church, along with the total of $22,214 in restitution to insurance company Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. In the court documents it appears All Saints Catholic Church had placed an order in October, 2016 with Oden for a church organ in the amount of $22,214 and PAID for it – BUT never actually received it.

Oden has a number of theft charges in Etowah and Calhoun counties, as well as outstanding warrants in both Etowah and Marshall.

That fire at the Oden Music Company building started fewer than 12 hours after Jason Oden was sentenced to prison time Tuesday morning.

(Information provided in part by the ANNISTON STAR/www.annistonstar.com)

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