$100,000 Bond for Felony Arson and Criminal Endangerment Charges

42 year-old Ryan Kirkbride is in the Missoula County Jail charged with felony arson and criminal endangerment after a fire started in the basement of a relative’s home, placing the family in danger.

At his Missoula Justice Court appearance on Monday before Judge Alex Beal, Deputy County Attorney Carrie Garber requested a bail amount of $100,000 for Kirkbride.

“The state of Montana is requesting $100,000 bond,” said Garber. “The reason for that Your Honor is due to the very serious nature of what occurred here. There was a fire there did significant damage to the home in question and the lives of four separate individuals were placed at extreme risk of death or serious bodily injury.”

Garber said there was significant evidence to determine that Kirkbride was responsible for the fire.

“It's our understanding that he was invited to stay here locally with his sister and her family,” she said. “He was the only individual residing in the basement which is where the fire started, and officials observed upon their investigation a gas can literally burned into the floor of that basement. In addition, the defendant made statements to law enforcement which indicated that he was involved.”

Garber related the criminal history of the defendant to Judge Beal in asking for the high bond amount.

“Your Honor, his criminal history is 30 separate pages,” she said. “Going through that, Your Honor, I see that he has most recently from February 10 of this year an arrest for fleeing and eluding law enforcement in Hamilton. That case is likely still pending. There was no disposition of felony burglary convicted prison sentence imposed in 1999. While on parole, he had a parole violation and was revoked at that time.”

Judge Beal set bail at $100,000 and remanded Kirkbride to the Missoula County Jail.