Prescott farmer's tractors destroyed by arson

Larry Bogan, owner of two John Deere tractors that were destroyed by fire last week, said 'I'm out a lot of money.' The State Fire Marshal's Office told him the fires were intentionally set. The equipment had a total estimated value of $125,000. No arrests have been made in the case, so far. Tribune photo/Michael Glover

PRESCOTT -- Larry Bogan can't explain it. Neither can his family, friends or neighbors.

They can't fathom why a person or persons intentionally set two of Bogan's John Deere tractors on fire.

Around 12:45 a.m. June 29, Bogan, a Prescott area farmer, received a frantic call from his daughter. She told her dad the tractors are on fire.

Bogan was at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla. at the time. He rushed home after the phone call.

Bogan's grandson, Robert Binford, heard loud explosions coming from his dad's house at 4644 Wattles Road in Prescott. He lives just up the gravel road and was working on his truck at the time. Chris raced to the house and found the two tractors fully enveloped in flames, Larry said. Both tractors had about 200 gallons of diesel fuel in the tanks, which accelerated the intensity of the flames.

By the time Larry returned home, the flames were gone but the damage was done. Fire had reduced the two tractors down to their frames. They were a total loss.

"I still can't believe someone would do something like this," Larry said.

The ruined equipment included a 1998 John Deere 9100 model and a 1990s John Deere 8570. Another tractor, a John Deere Model 7820, was parked next to burned tractors. It received minor damage when the intense heat from the fire melted portions of its fender, cab and mirror. Also, the fire damaged hydraulic hoses on a field cultivator and a planter that were attached to the tractors.

Bogan owned the tractors. He had limited insurance on the machines, but the tractors are used. They had a combined 6,700 hours of use.

Together, the two tractors were valued at $125,000. Bogan estimated he's out about $60,000 because of the limited insurance coverage.

He's looking at renting a tractor to harvest this year's crop. Eventually, Bogan plans to replace the tractors. He farms about 3,000 acres. The tractors were vital for farming the wheat, corn and bean fields.

"That right over there (pointing to the burnt tractors) is our livelihood," Bogan said.

Bogan said he doesn't think he has any enemies. He doesn't know "who on earth" would torch his property.

An investigator with the State Fire Marshal's Office told Bogan the fire was intentionally set from inside the cab. However, it was unknown as to what was used to set the fire, Bogan said.

Spokesmen with the fire marshal's office were unavailable when The Fort Scott Tribune called and could not be reached for comment.

Linn County Sheriff Marvin Stites said the sheriff's office is investigating on what information they have gathered so far in the case. No arrests have been made, Stites said.