(Photo courtesy of WIAT CBS42)

A well-known company located just down the road from us, which at one point, had been in business for almost 70 years – Oden Music Company on North 26th Street in Gadsden – went up in flames around midnight.

WEIS Radio News spoke with City of Gadsden Assistant Fire Chief Craig Cannon just before 8:30 on Wednesday morning and he informed us that as firefighters responded to that two-alarm blaze in what’s known as the Alabama City portion of Gadsden, they witnessed smoke billowing from the rooftop of the structure.

Cannon said shortly after firefighters entered the building the roof collapsed and during the fire three members of his department were injured. They were transported to an area hospital for the 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 investigators were attempting to determine the cause for the blaze.

Oden Music had been out of business for quite some time; reportedly, there was no power to the building.