A member of the Russellville Volunteer Fire Department has been charged, accused of starting multiple fires.
Prosecutors in Cole County charged Joshua Gerstner with three counts of knowingly burning or exploding according to a report by KRCG 13.
According to court documents, Gerstner is accused of starting a fire on November 20, 2021, south of Russellville that burned a barn and bales of hay.
Officials said there were several other fires between November 2021 and February 2022 where an investigation found Gerstner either reported the fires or was close to the incident.
Officials with the Cole County Sheriff's office said Gerstner told him he started the fire because he was mad at a family member and was stressed. Gerstner also started two grass fires telling officials he started them because he was bored.
Gerstner was placed under arrest and taken to the Cole County Jail, he is currently on a $15,000 bond.
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