Officials are investigating a fire that destroyed valuable heavy equipment belonging to Ulysses Johnson on Johnson Street in Longview last Thursday. Fire units responded to reports of several large pieces of equipment engulfed in flames.
Longview Fire Marshal Kevin May stated, “Our crews arrived and found that there was a travel trailer and some other farm equipment that had been involved in the fire.” The incident resulted in the loss of essential items used by Johnson for work and community support, including tractors, a brush hog, wood splitters, a trailer, a boat motor, and a flatbed.
Johnson, well-known in Longview for his connections with horses and the Juneteenth parade, expressed his disappointment over the loss, particularly the RV, which he used for community fish fries supporting various causes, including the local fire department and Longview High School tailgate parties. “I try to keep everybody safe, look out for everybody’s stuff, but this here is the bottom of it,” he said, questioning the possibility of a spontaneous ignition and expressing skepticism about the fire being an accident.
Longview fire officials confirmed they are still investigating the cause of the fire. “We don’t have enough information to determine exactly what caused the fire,” May added. Johnson stated that most of the burned equipment is now completely lost.
