More Arson Fires in Longview
Posted/updated on: February 4, 2016 at 2:51 pmLONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department has deemed two structure fires as arson. According to Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, a fire at a vacant home on Jean Drive and a fire at Eden Special Care, which is vacant, were labeled as arson Tuesday night. The fires are said to not be related, even though they occurred within two hours of each other.
According to KETK, authorities responded to the first fire on the 500 block of Jean Drive around 3:15 p.m. Crews rolled out to the second blaze at approximately 5:05 p.m. The first fire was extinguished in about 25 minutes. Police said officers saw a man running north from the fire as they arrived at the scene shortly after 3 p.m. He is described as a black or Hispanic male wearing a dark-colored shirt, khaki shorts and a ball cap.
A witness reported several men coming in and out of the home. The home involved has been vacant for three years and had no working utilities, according to Longview fire officials.
The fire on Eden began as a forest fire and then spread to a nearby Eden Specialty Care building. Fire officials stated the same building was hit by a tornado in April. The structure received some damage before the flames were put out, but the extent is unknown.
No injuries were reported.