Former firefighter and his girlfriend suspected of setting. At the best of times, serial arson is a mysterious business, and this particular. Officials continue to investigate attempted arson at accomack county. The map below breaks down the arsons by month and by day of the week. The people waited to see which abandoned building would burn down. Monica hesse, a washington post reporter, wrote a book about the accomack county arson spree. American fire tells a true story of love and arson in rural.
How a mans sexual performance led to a massive arson spree. Some fires were not linked to tonya bundick or her former fiance, charles r. The charles smith iii and tonya bundick serial arson case. 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. Saturday morning, police received a call of an abandoned. The arsonist was caught, and in american fire, monica hesse. There have been more than 70 confirmed arson fires on the eastern shore of virginia. 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. Since november 12, 20, the virginia state police bci chesapeake field office and accomack county sheriffs office have been investigating arson fires that have targeted abandoned andor vacant residential and commercial structures throughout the county. The virginia state police bureau of criminal investigations. The fires are almost always set at night, in abandoned or vacant buildings.
Night after night, the people of accomack county waited to see which building. 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. 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. In american fire, the scene is set well and the story is welltold. Virginia state police say they believe two late monday night fires in accomack county are the work of an arsonist. It was a cool, dry night, and the house hadnt had working power. Community plagued with dozens of arson fires there have been 48 confirmed arsons in accomack county since nov. 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. Salisbury maryland news is the home page of salisbury maryland with in depth and updated salisbury local news. The rural virginia county of accomack was plagued by arson in the winter of 2012.
Mar 04, 20 virginia state police say 58 arson fires have been confirmed in accomack county since midnovember. The culprits, it turned out, were a local man and his girlfriend. The charges against bundick and smith stemmed from an arson spree that plagued accomack county from november of 2012 and april of 20. 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. By linda cicoira a fatal fire in accomack county friday is being investigated as arson and homicide, according to the state police. Interactive map eastern shore arson fires the virginianpilot. Vigilante groups sprang up, patrolling the rural virginia coast with. In a new book, journalist monica hesse tells their story. The arsons started on a november night in 2012 and didnt stop for months. Couple accused of setting more than 70 fires in va. As the cover of american fire states, this book is about love, arson, and life in a vanishing land. 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. 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.
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. The abandoned motel, parts of which date to the 1930s, was the largest fire set. 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. But so far, who or what is behind them is anyones guess. American fire tells a true story of love and arson in rural virginia in 2012 and 20, accomack county, va. Virginia serial arsonist sparks terror, setting 38 fires. Monday nights fire brings the arson count up to 77, with two others attempted. American fire tells a true story of love and arson in. Accomack arsonist charles smith sentenced to 15 years. How a troubled romance fueled a string of nearly 80 arsons in. 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.
The investigation into the more than 70 arson fires set in accomack since november remains ongoing, police said. One hundred years ago accomack was the richest rural county in the nation. Accomack arson spree featured in book delmarva now. Apr 02, 20 as of today, accomack county has weathered 77 such blazes, but there may be a break in the case. Between november 2012 and april 1, 20, a total of 86 fires had been deliberately set in remote accomack county on virginias eastern shore. State police have determined that a fatal fire in accomack county on friday is an arson and homicide case. State police are now investigating a deadly fire that killed three people in accomack county as an arson and homicide. Geller said bundick is charged in connection with a monday night arson set on. Box 388, accomac, virginia 23301 7577875700 website design by granicus connecting people and government. 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. Police identify victims in accomack county arson, homicide. American fire book hennepin county library bibliocommons. For the most part, the fires were being set in long abandoned buildings located in extremely desolate areas.
So residents and law enforcement officials in accomack county remain puzzled as to why at least 70 arsons have been committed in the area since november. Apr 03, 20 a former volunteer firefighter charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson confessed to the. Eastern shore arson suspect tonya bundick denied bond youtube. Couple arrested in arson on virginias eastern shore the. 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. March 12, 20 the whispering pines motel in tasley, va. Fire investigated as arson and homicide eastern shore post. It was a nightmare that lasted for nearly five months.
For five months, beginning in november of 2012, a pair of arsonists would terrorize accomack county, virginia, setting more than 80 fires. How bedroom issues led virginia couple on arson spree. Smith plead guilty to 67 counts of arson on october 31st, 20. 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. Eastern shore arson suspect tonya bundick denied bond. Virginia state police tell media outlets that the latest fires in accomack county destroyed two abandoned houses tuesday night. 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. 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. Police have today charged tonya bundick with one felony count of arson, and are working to. 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. 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. Fbi agents testify at accomack arson suspects court.
Deborah clarks fire was the first fire in accomack county. Family friendly and striving to be a worthy choice for your internet browsing. Search warrant documents filed in accomack county circuit court said that smith further told authorities he and bundick set more than 70 structure and brush fires in the county. This image provided by the accomack county jail shows tonya s. 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. American fire book denton public library bibliocommons. Apr 03, 20 authorities say two suspects are now under arrest for the rash of fires along virginias eastern shore. Thats her closing hope for places like accomack county. Slowly its been drained of its industry agriculture as well as its wealth and population. How did your washington post feature, which later evolved into american fire, originate. 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. Apr 22, 2015 a large part of the impact that the arsons had in accomack county fell upon the first responders battling those fires. Investigators ask that anyone with information about the fires call the accomack county sheriffs office at 75778711 or the virginia state police chesapeake headquarters, tollfree, at 18005828350 or at 7574246820. American fires tells a true story of love and arson in.
Accomack county s arson spree totaled 80 fires in 142 days. State police and accomack county sheriffs deputies will continue to investigate the 77 arson fires. In virginias rural accomack county, a troubled romance was behind a string of 77 arsons. Maybe rural america isnt dying so much as its shuckering. 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. Visit our training calendar eastern shore regional fire. Investigators think an arsonist in accomack county has set more that 70 fires since november. American fire love, arson, and life in a vanishing land book. Mar 20, 20 whoever is doing this is really doing their homework, an accomack county official told the washington post.
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. The arsons started on a cold november midnight and didnt stop for months. 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. Hesses book humanely appraises small towns that are being emptied out by progress, while also painting a riveting picture. 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. The accomack county sheriffs office and virginia state police placed two eastern shore residents under arrest. In the span of five months, there would be 76 more. Accomack county virginia state police are investigating the 22nd and 23rd eastern shore arson fires since nov. 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 culprits, it turned out, were a local man and his. A breathtaking feat of reportage, american fire combines procedural with love story, redefining american tragedy for our time. American fire tells a true story of love and arson. Police believe they have suspects responsible for 70plus. Two eastern shore residents charged in string of accomack county arsons melfa, va.
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