Man charged in Vienna arson that sent six firefighters to the hospital

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Maries County Sheriff's Office said on Thursday that a person is charged with an arson that sent six Vienna firefighters to the hospital.

Gary Travers, of Jefferson City, faces six felony charges of second-degree assault and a felony charge of second-degree arson in the Aug. 16 case.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Vienna Fire Protection District about the arrest.

The Vienna Fire Department is very proud of all the agencies that have worked many long hours leading up to this point of the investigation. As of today, five of the injured firefighters have healed of their injuries caused by the Aug. 16 explosion and have returned to work. The remaining firefighter could be cleared as early as next week to return to duty.

Vienna Fire Protection District

Deputies and Jefferson City police officers arrested Travers at his home. A Facebook post from the sheriff's office said Travers is being held in the Maries County Jail without bond.

Sheriff Chris Heitmann said back in August the fire at the 13000 block of Highway 28 near Vienna was intentionally set.

Firefighters were battling the structure fire when something inside the residence exploded.

Online court documents don't show an attorney listed for Travers.