Accomack county arson fires

The investigation into the more than 70 arson fires set in accomack since november remains ongoing, police said. Police have today charged tonya bundick with one felony count of arson, and are working to. State police are now investigating a deadly fire that killed three people in accomack county as an arson and homicide. Couple accused of setting more than 70 fires in va. In the span of five months, there would be 76 more. Visit our training calendar eastern shore regional fire. At the best of times, serial arson is a mysterious business, and this particular. Police identify victims in accomack county arson, homicide. American fires tells a true story of love and arson in. The abandoned motel, parts of which date to the 1930s, was the largest fire set.

Mar 04, 20 virginia state police say 58 arson fires have been confirmed in accomack county since midnovember. How a troubled romance fueled a string of nearly 80 arsons in. American fire tells a true story of love and arson in. Outbreak of arson baffles police on virginia coast. Accomack arsonist charles smith sentenced to 15 years. Posted below is the press release from the state and local investigators concerning the serial arsonist in accomack county. American fire tells a true story of love and arson. But accomack countys plunging fortunes is the simplistic explanation for the arson epidemic, and hesse pushes that aside to plumb the complicated personal relationships, the tightknit community, and the stories told in small towns that can shape a persons destiny just as surely as ones actions. Accomack arson spree featured in book delmarva now. One hundred years ago accomack was the richest rural county in the nation. So, as she sat in the accomack county courthouse scribbling notes. Apr 17, 20 eastern shore arson suspect tonya bundick denied bond. The people waited to see which abandoned building would burn down.

While we are waiting for details and a verdict from the big trial in virginia beach today, here is a photo gallery of the fivemonth arson spree that gripped accomack county and the region. Police identify victims in accomack county arson, homicide case the fire, which occurred in a small mobile home community in nelsonia, is being investigated as an arson and homicide. Geller said bundick is charged in connection with a monday night arson set on. Slowly its been drained of its industry agriculture as well as its wealth and population. Smith plead guilty to 67 counts of arson on october 31st, 20. Whoever is doing this is really doing their homework, an accomack county official told the washington post. The culprits, it turned out, were a local man and his girlfriend. In a new book, journalist monica hesse tells their story. Aug 06, 2017 the dark secret behind charles smith and tonya bundicks 2012 arson rampage across accomack county, virginia was revealed last month in a new book by reporter monica hesse. Apr 03, 20 a former volunteer firefighter charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson confessed to the. American fire book denton public library bibliocommons. Love, arson, and life in a vanishing land looks at the intersection of economic hardship and rural boredom. Virginia state police say they believe two late monday night fires in accomack county are the work of an arsonist. Eastern shore arson suspect tonya bundick denied bond youtube.

Night after night, the people of accomack county waited to see which building. Monica hesse, a washington post reporter, wrote a book about the accomack county arson spree. Bundick is on trial for one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson relating to a fire set on airport drive in melfa in accomack county on april 1, 20. In virginias rural accomack county, a troubled romance was behind a string of 77 arsons.

How a mans sexual performance led to a massive arson spree. Saturday morning, police received a call of an abandoned. Fbi agents testify at accomack arson suspects court. The rural virginia county of accomack was plagued by arson in the winter of 2012. The arsons started on a november night in 2012 and didnt stop for months. In american fire, the scene is set well and the story is welltold. Some fires were not linked to tonya bundick or her former fiance, charles r. Night after night, the people of accomack county waited to see which building would burn down next, regarding each other at first with compassion, and later suspicion. Investigators think an arsonist in accomack county has set more that 70 fires since november.

For the most part, the fires were being set in long abandoned buildings located in extremely desolate areas. It was a cool, dry night, and the house hadnt had working power. Fire investigated as arson and homicide eastern shore post. Arson investigators with the virginia state police and the accomack county sheriffs office suspected that the serial firesetter was either a disgruntled firefighter, a teenage boy sexually aroused by flames, or a young man committing arson simply for the thrill and excitement of causing havoc. Box 388, accomac, virginia 23301 7577875700 website design by granicus connecting people and government. Jul 05, 2017 the string of more than 70 arson fires that happened in accomack county in late 2012 and early 20 captured the attention of the outside world, even as it exhausted the local firefighters, police. The preliminary examination conducted saturday by the office of the medical examiner in norfolk revealed that each of the three bodies recovered from a burned mobile home in nelsonia suffered additional injuries inconsistent with a fire, said corinne. Vigilante groups sprang up, patrolling the rural virginia coast with. A breathtaking feat of reportage, american fire combines procedural with love story, redefining american tragedy for our time. How bedroom issues led virginia couple on arson spree. The accomack county sheriffs office and virginia state police placed two eastern shore residents under arrest.

Apr 02, 20 state police and accomack county sheriffs deputies will continue to investigate the 77 arson fires that have burned in the county since midnovember. The string of more than 70 arson fires that happened in accomack county in late 2012 and early 20 captured the attention of the outside world, even as it exhausted the local firefighters, police. Apr 22, 2015 a large part of the impact that the arsons had in accomack county fell upon the first responders battling those fires. Interactive map eastern shore arson fires the virginianpilot.

March 12, 20 the whispering pines motel in tasley, va. Charlie smith right is led out of accomack county circuit court on thursday, april 23, 2015 after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a local arson spree. Accomack county s arson spree totaled 80 fires in 142 days. Arson investigators with the virginia state police and the accomack county sheriffs office suspected that the serial fire setter was either a disgruntled firefighter, a teenage boy sexually aroused by flames, or a young man committing arson simply for the thrill and excitement of causing havoc. Monday nights fire brings the arson count up to 77, with two others attempted. But so far, who or what is behind them is anyones guess.

Mar 20, 20 whoever is doing this is really doing their homework, an accomack county official told the washington post. Police said they got the first call about a fire at around. Deborah clarks fire was the first fire in accomack county. The fires are almost always set at night, in abandoned or vacant buildings. A fire in which three people in accomack county were found dead inside a mobile home is being investigated as an arson and homicide, police said. Jul 18, 2017 monica hesses american fire recounts the story of a struggling virginia county as she tells the story of tonya bundick and charlie smith, lovers convicted of multiple counts of arson. Whereas, over the course of nearly six months, two arsonists set 77 fires, destroying abandoned houses, vehicles, cabins, storage sheds, billboards, tire piles, an airplane hangar, and an. American fire book hennepin county library bibliocommons.

State police have determined that a fatal fire in accomack county on friday is an arson and homicide case. Hesses book humanely appraises small towns that are being emptied out by progress, while also painting a riveting picture. For five months, beginning in november of 2012, a pair of arsonists would terrorize accomack county, virginia, setting more than 80 fires. The virginia state police bureau of criminal investigations. It was a nightmare that lasted for nearly five months. Monica hesses american fire recounts the story of a struggling virginia county as she tells the story of tonya bundick and charlie smith, lovers convicted of multiple counts of arson. Between november 2012 and april 1, 20, a total of 86 fires had been deliberately set in remote accomack county on virginias eastern shore. Community plagued with dozens of arson fires there have been 48 confirmed arsons in accomack county since nov. In the small, rural community of accomack county on the eastern shore of virginia, a serial arsonist to the eventual tune of 67 fires in five months was on the loose. There have been more than 70 confirmed arson fires on the eastern shore of virginia. Eastern shore arson suspect tonya bundick denied bond. Two eastern shore residents charged in string of accomack county arsons melfa, va. By linda cicoira a fatal fire in accomack county friday is being investigated as arson and homicide, according to the state police.

How did your washington post feature, which later evolved into american fire, originate. Maybe rural america isnt dying so much as its shuckering. Police believe they have suspects responsible for 70plus. As the cover of american fire states, this book is about love, arson, and life in a vanishing land. State police and accomack county sheriffs deputies will continue to investigate the 77 arson fires. The map below breaks down the arsons by month and by day of the week. Apr 09, 2014 accomack is a small county that looked halfgutted even before the fires started, where love and fire could combine to transform two ordinary peoples lives into an epic romance. The dark secret behind charles smith and tonya bundicks 2012 arson rampage across accomack county, virginia was revealed last month in a new book by reporter monica hesse. American fire love, arson, and life in a vanishing land book. Feb 03, 2019 a fire in which three people in accomack county were found dead inside a mobile home is being investigated as an arson and homicide, police said. American fire tells a true story of love and arson in rural virginia in 2012 and 20, accomack county, va. Pocomoke city an all american city and the friendliest town on the eastern shore. Traveling to accomack county, virginia, journalist monica hesse uncovers the complex triggers behind a pair of lovers fivemonth arson spree in the small, neglected town.

Virginia state police tell media outlets that the latest fires in accomack county destroyed two abandoned houses tuesday night. This image provided by the accomack county jail shows tonya s. The story behind the hunt for this arsonist actually, arsonists, who they were, and why they couldnt stop burning down abandoned buildings is ultimately about a unique. The arsonist was caught, and in american fire, monica hesse. Officials continue to investigate attempted arson at accomack county. Apr 02, 20 as of today, accomack county has weathered 77 such blazes, but there may be a break in the case. The accomack county arsonists description for five months, beginning in november of 2012, a pair of arsonists would terrorize accomack county, virginia, setting more than 80 fires. The arsons started on a cold november midnight and didnt stop for months. Accomack county virginia state police are investigating the 22nd and 23rd eastern shore arson fires since nov. Apr 03, 20 authorities say two suspects are now under arrest for the rash of fires along virginias eastern shore. Investigators in accomack county say they are pursuing strong leads to solve dozens of arson fires that have plagued the area in recent months, but the arsonist is proving elusive. Virginia serial arsonist sparks terror, setting 38 fires. Former firefighter and his girlfriend suspected of setting.

A preliminary examination conducted by the medical examiners office in norfolk revealed that each of the three victims bodies suffered additional injuries inconsistent with a fire, according to. The other motion requested that the commonwealth turn over an fbi report detailing the use of scent dogs during the search for arson suspects in accomack county in march 20. American fire tells a true story of love and arson in rural. The charles smith iii and tonya bundick serial arson case. Apr 23, 2015 charlie smith right is led out of accomack county circuit court on thursday, april 23, 2015 after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a local arson spree.