Fire that gutted Ohio Nurses Association HQ called ‘suspicious’

A weekend fire that heavily damaged the Ohio Nurses Association headquarters in Columbus is being investigated as “suspicious,” city fire officials said Monday.

The fire began around 1:30 a.m. Sunday at the ONA building at 3760 Ridge Mill Drive, near Hilliard. No one was inside the building at the time and no injuries were reported, Columbus fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. Martin said the Columbus Division of Fire’s arson investigators are calling the fire “suspicious” and conducting an investigation into the cause. Damage to the building is extensive, which will likely prolong the investigation.

Martin said the damage from the fire is estimated to be over $1 million. There were some reports Sunday that a medical practice operated out of the building, but Martin said that is not the case.

The two-story, 7,158-square-foot office building opened in 1989, according to Franklin County Auditor’s office records. The total assessed value is listed by the auditor’s office at $825,000, with the 1.2 acres of land (assessed at $447,600) worth more than the building ($377,400).

ONA President Robert Weitzel released a statement about the fire on the organization’s Twitter page on Sunday.

“We were regretfully informed of a fire at the ONA Headquarters this morning,” he said. “The fire, which is suspected to have happened in the early morning hours, has resulted in a total loss and the cause is not yet known. Though this is a disaster, we are thankful no one was hurt. Things can be replaced, but people cannot. We have communicated to our membership and staff and will continue to keep them updated as the situation develops.”

Formed in 1904, the ONA is dedicated to the protection, promotion and advancement of nurses in the state. Today, the organization serves 180,000 nurses in Ohio.