Resident charged with arson at Sikeston retirement home

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A resident of the Green Meadows Retirement Home has been charged with arson after the facility was destroyed by fire Wednesday.

Vincent Bryant, 38, was charged with first-degree arson after he allegedly started the fire at about 11 a.m. Wednesday by igniting a blanket in his bedroom with a cigarette lighter. Firefighters remained on the scene until about 11 a.m. Thursday.

Drew Juden, director of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, said some residents witnessed Bryant setting the fire, which started in a rear structure attached to the main building that was used as a bedroom and lounge area. According to DPS, Bryant has confessed to the act, but Juden said police do not have a motive.

Juden said the retirement home was "totaled," although he was not sure about an estimated dollar amount of damage. No residents were hurt in the fire, but Juden said about 10 firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.

He said the more than 50 residents who lived in the home are being relocated to other places.

"Currently they're trying to get them set up in a couple of other buildings on the same property," he said.

Bryant was in DPS custody on Thursday afternoon, but Juden said he would later be transferred to a mental health facility in Fulton, Mo.