VIENNA —Gary Martin Travers, Jr., in the Maries County Jail facing the possibility of spending nearly 100 years in prison, is charged with arson and six counts of assault for allegedly setting the Aug. 16, 2019, house fire which injured six Vienna volunteer firemen. Sheriff Chris Heitman said insurance money was the motive behind the action of Travers, 36, who is alleged to have set the fire at the home of Jack and Beverly Oaker located at Highway 28 West in Maries County.

Judge Kerry Rowden issued a warrant for the arrest of Travers on Feb. 11, 2020, and it was executed by deputies of the Maries County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 13. Travers was located at a home in Jefferson City and taken into custody.

Heitman said an insurance claim was filed on the Highway 28 home and the claim was being disputed. He said the insurance claim was for more that was owned on the home’s mortgage.

Maries County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony “Tony” Skouby has charged Travers with six counts of the class B felony of assault, second degree, special victims, and the class B felony of arson, second degree, injury or death. The felony charges carry a range of punishment of five to 15 years each.

Sheriff Chris Heitman said the investigation is still on-going and more arrests may take place. “I hope we can get everybody that was involved.” He commended sheriff’s detective Kenneth Kilmer for his hard work in the case.

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Smith said he is thankful this incident is coming to an end so the firemen will have some closure. Smith said they don’t always know how something like this will affect the firemen down the road because an explosion is similar to a war incident. Physically they are mostly all healed with one still doing rehab work on his shoulder following surgery. One fireman suffered a stroke and is rehabilitating at home but it is not known if the fire injuries caused the stroke. The injured firemen were Assistant Fire Chief Mark Buschmann, and firemen Chad James, Mark Honse, Mason Smith, Chase Lenning and T.J. Jeremy. The firemen were injured when they were preparing to enter the burning structure when there was a powerful propane explosion, which knocked them to the ground and the fire flashed, giving them second and third degree burns. The explosion put out the fire but not until it had burned the men.

Later in the day of Aug. 16, family members, including Gary Travers, were in the yard watching the investigative work being done at the Highway 28 house.

Smith said he appreciates the work of the sheriff’s office and all the other agencies involved. Also appreciated is the tremendous support the firemen and the department received from the Vienna community and communities beyond Vienna as donations were received and special fundraisers held in Vichy, Belle and Freeburg. Smith said the community all pulls together when something such as this happens.