Shore lawmakers address 60 arsons

ONANCOCK, Va. (WAVY) - 10 On Your Side asked Eastern Shore lawmakers what they are doing to make sure authorities catch a serial arsonist. The number of confirmed arsons hit 60 over the weekend.

The latest two started Monday night, just one hour apart. One was an abandoned home on Salvageville Road in Onancock, and the other was an abandoned home in Mears.

State senator Ralph Northam, who represents Accomack County, says the arsonist is at the top of his list. He makes daily calls to state police to make sure they have all the resources they need.

"I actually just got off the phone with folks over there and they are working hard," said Sen. Northam (D-VA), when he spoke to WAVY.com Tuesday. "And they are anxious to get to the bottom of this, just like everybody else."

Sen. Northam says the challenge is the size of the Shore, which spans 70 miles, and is dotted with the arsonist's favorite target, abandoned buildings.

"It's just amazing that he or she hasn't been caught yet!" said Nancy Blose, who lives in nearby Onley.

State Police are keeping details of the investigation quiet, but Sen. Northam assured the public there is no shortage of manpower or technology. Shore residents say police aircraft fly overhead most nights.

"They know what they're doing," said Sen. Northam. "We just need to give them time to find whoever this is."

The fear of fire is growing among residents with each new arson.

"It is scary," Blose said.

Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Jr. (D-VA) hears those sirens from his home in Accomac. Like Sen. Northam, he also is working with local authorities.

"Our local sheriff's department, these guys are putting in extremely long hours, double time, triple time, all the time," said Del. Lewis.

He said State Police have adequate resources invested in the search, though he could not go into detail because of the active investigation.

"I think the police are doing as much as they can with the info they have," said Barbara Lott, who drives the Eastern Shore often. "It's frustrating."

Del. Lewis says research shows serial arsonists, by definition, have very long runs, but in the end, always get caught.

"While we have hit an unacceptably high number, at 60-plus, in some areas of the country where they had serial arsonists, it's gone far beyond that," said Del. Lewis.

WAVY.com also contacted the Accomack County Board of Supervisors Tuesday to get their opinion on the police response. The consensus is they are pleased with police efforts.

One supervisor, who served as sheriff for almost 20 years, says no stone will be left unturned.

Stay with WAVY News 10 and WAVY.com for more on this developing story.