BOONE, NC — A man has been charged with setting fire to a Super 8 Motel on February 7, 2019.
Investigators say DNA evidence collected during the investigation has confirmed Ronnie Bumgarner as the suspect in the case. Bumgarner, 23, was served an arrest warrant on Friday charging him with one count of Felony First-Degree Arson.
Around 3:10 a.m. on Thursday, February 7th, officials say Boone Police and Fire crews responded to the Super 8 Motel on Highway 105. Investigators say they quickly determined someone had intentionally set fire to three different areas of the motel, causing significant damage while occupants slept inside.
Bumgarner was initially identified as a suspect, but denied setting fire to the building.
Police say evidence was gathered at the scene and sent to the NC State Crime Lab for testing. A search warrant was also used to obtain a DNA sample from Bumgarner, police say, which later tied him to key pieces of evidence.
Bumgarner is scheduled to appear in Watauga County District Court on July 26.
