Jefferson City man charged in arson case

A Jefferson City man has been charged in connection with an arson that injured six volunteer firefighters last year in Maries County.

On Thursday afternoon, Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said Gary Travers Jr., 36, was charged with six counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree arson. Heitman said the range of punishment for the charges is a five- to 15-year prison sentence for each offense, meaning there could be a maximum sentence of 95 years.

Six members of the Vienna Fire Department were hurt Aug. 16 when a house exploded as they were fighting a fire. Authorities said the firefighters were taken to hospitals with moderate to severe burns and cuts from flying debris.

Heitman said Travers was arrested at his residence, and he was taken into custody by his deputies along with members of the Jefferson City Police Department. As of Thursday night, Travers was being held in the Maries County Jail on a no-bond warrant.

Heitman also said this is an ongoing investigation and more arrests may take place.