N.D. Man Charged in Home Fire Now a Suspect in Business Blaze

A North Dakota man charged with setting fire to his girlfriend’s mobile home last week is now charged with setting fire last year to a business he co-owned.

Lawrence Bailey, 27, of Bismarck, was released from jail last Friday after posting a $10,000 bond in the mobile home case. Authorities said he was arrested a day later on an arson charge in the June 2006, fire that caused thousands of dollars in damage at MidDakota Masonry Inc.

Assistant State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer asked South Central District Judge Bruce Romanick to set bail at $20,000 cash. She said Bailey is a “serious danger to the community.”

Romanick said that because the latest case was an old case, he would allow the $10,000 bond already posted to cover both cases.

Bailey was charged last week in the April 8 fire at the mobile home of his girlfriend, Vickie Reule. No one was hurt but officials said the mobile home appeared to be a total loss.