Eastern Shore fires devastate residents

ACCOMACK COUNT, Va. (WAVY) - Dozens of arson cases have plagued the Eastern Shore community for weeks, leaving residents of the area constantly on edge.

State police responded to a structure fire Tuesday evening off Lankford Highway.

Van and Claire Nutter could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the Colonial-style home Van's cousin had previously done construction work on go up in flames.

"We're devastated over this," Claire Nutter said. "Billy Belote built it from a frame and now all the workmanship is wasted. Wasted because of a firebug."

The Tuesday evening fire has not yet been confirmed an arson. State police say "dozens" of fires have been determined arson cases, but few structural fires in the area remain under investigation.

"I believe it was deliberately set because who else would do that knowing the history of this house?" Claire Nutter said.

The Nutters said the home dates back to the 1700s.

Eastern Shore resident Len Cackowski told WAVY.com he feels as though investigators could soon get a breakthrough in the case.

"I think they have an idea who it might be," Cackowski said. "They just have to catch him and prove it. I mean, nobody can be that smart. I think it's probably more than one person, maybe a copycat or two, or something running around up and down."

No one has been hurt in the fires and the arsonist(s) tend to target abandoned structures.

State police continue to investigate the fires and ask anyone with helpful information to call (757)424-6820.