A three-alarm blaze at the four-story Residences at Topiary Park along the north side of the park and just east of the Main Library, burned for hours early Sunday morning, and the roof was collapsing at about 8 a.m.
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles.
The unoccupied building was under construction and nearly completed.
The cause of the fire is suspicious but undetermined, authorities said Sunday morning.
Columbus Fire Division Battalion Chief Anthony Brooks said fire investigators are on the scene. "It's obviously suspicious because no one is living here," he said.
The fire broke out around 3 a.m., fire officials told WBNS-TV.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen in the sky throughout downtown.
Battalion Chief Steve Martin told WBNS-TV that arson was suspected, and that an attempt was made to set on fire other apartment building under construction next door.
A fire had been set Saturday night around 9:45 p.m. at the construction site for another apartment building on Oak Street near Fifth Street.
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