Bismarck Man Charged With Felony Endangerment by Fire
Ronnie Hollis, 59, faces charges after allegedly igniting a fire at a local VFW post.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Bismarck police have charged 59-year-old Ronnie Hollis with felony endangerment by fire following an incident at a local VFW post. Security footage reportedly captured a burning object being thrown from the suspect's vehicle into dry leaves.
Why it matters
The charge highlights the serious legal consequences for arson-related activities that threaten local property and public safety. Hollis faces these charges while having two prior fire-related convictions on his record.
Ronnie Hollis is officially charged with a felony count of endangerment by fire. The case proceeds following his arrest in connection to the event on South 12th Street.
The players
Ronnie Hollis
The 59-year-old suspect is a former security guard at the VFW post who has two previous convictions related to fire.
The details
Emergency crews were dispatched to the VFW post on South 12th Street to extinguish a blaze involving dry leaves. Evidence from security cameras shows a burning object being launched from a vehicle at the site where Hollis worked as security.
Timeline
Emergency crews responded to the fire at 4:30 a.m. on October 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This case reflects the strict application of North Dakota Century Code's arson and endangerment statutes regarding repeat offenders. It demonstrates how local law enforcement prioritizes property protection when suspects have documented criminal histories involving fire.
The incident serves as a reminder for local businesses to maintain functional security cameras to aid in rapid identification of potential threats. Residents living near South 12th Street may see increased vigilance regarding property safety following this arrest.
The takeaway
This case underscores the importance of maintaining robust surveillance to assist investigators in documenting criminal acts. Individuals with prior records face heightened scrutiny when incidents involving public danger occur.
Further reading
For more on local legal developments, visit the Bismarck Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.
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