Russellville firefighter accused of arson suspended until further notice

RUSSELLVILLE, Mo (KMIZ)

A Russellville volunteer firefighter was indefinitely suspended after allegedly confessing to setting several fires around the town.

A Russellville family revealed to ABC 17 some details that led up to the alleged confession and how their family became involved in the investigation.

Joshua Gerstner, 19, confessed to setting three fires in Russellville, according to documents from the Cole County Sheriff's Office. Gerstner told investigators he burned a hay barn owned by his girlfriend's family in November because he was mad at his mother. Gerstner also confessed to starting two grass fires, on Scrivener Road and at Route A and Curtman Road, in mid-February because he was "bored," according to a probable cause statement.

The Russellville-Lohman Fire Department confirmed Gerstner is suspended until further notice.

The Missouri Division of Fire Safety website says that there is a need for volunteer firefighters in Missouri who are "committed citizens who help save lives and protect the property of their neighbors."

Firefighternow.com lists the requirements to become a firefighter are:

• Minimum age of 18, but be aware of upper age restrictions
• Must have a valid state driver's license and residency
• Physically and mentally fit
• High school diploma or GED
• No regulation for Firefighter1 or EMT training at entry level.

The Petershagen family of Russellville approached ABC 17 following a story that ran Thursday, saying two of their own were questioned by police before Gerstner's alleged confession.

Joseph Petershagen said the three fires were very close to the family's home.

"They were probably I'd say, maybe, a few of them were probably about seven miles from my house," Petershagen said. "Cause I know a few of them happened on Scrivner Road. And actually, one of the fires was on my great uncle's property."

Petershagen said his son and nephew were questioned by police about the fires because a witness reportedly put them at the scene; although Petershagen said the group was out of town at a basketball game on the dates of the fires.

"My son was scared; my nephew, he was thinking he was going to jail for something he didn't do," Petershagen said. "Not only that, but you talk about the embarrassment that my whole entire family had to go through."