A former Bismarck State College student has pleaded guilty to endangerment by fire or explosion. Jessica Mrachek, 20, pleaded guilty to the Class Cfelony Monday.

Mrachek was charged on Sept. 23 after police investigated a fire that occurred at a residence hall at BSC on Sept. 11. At 1:56 a.m. Sept. 11, police and fire personnel were called to Swensen Hall, a women's residence hall.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, and members of the Bismarck Fire Department determined that the fire was intentionally set.

Police said some notebook paper had been shoved into a light fixture in the second-floor bathroom, where it caught fire. The fire spread down the wall to a soap dispenser, which was partially melted.

Officers determined that Mrachek had used a key card to enter the residence hall shortly before the fire, and she was the person who reported the fire. After further investigation, Mrachek was arrested and charged with endangerment by fire or explosion.

South Central District Judge Sonna Anderson ordered that a presentence investigation be conducted. Mrachek will be sentenced at a later date.

Mrachek, who was a student at BSC at the time of the fire, is free after posting a $1,500 surety bond in September. She faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

- Jenny Michael