(Photo: MGN)ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va.- Virginia State Police are probing yet another arson to have occurred in Accomack County. Sunday night's fire brings to 25 the number of arsons presently under investigation in the county.
Troopers said that between the hours of 7:30 and 8 p.m. Sunday, they received a call of an abandoned structure on fire off of Whites Crossing and Cattail Road in Hallwood. The structure was unoccupied and no injuries were reported.
Eva Hall has lived in Accomack County for years. She describes it as a quiet, friendly neighborhood. But this rash of arsons has her on edge.
"I think it's really dangerous, especially for just down this area," Hall said. "Most of the people are old, they're single and they're half sick and I think it's dangerous and it's awful."
Down the street from her, Eligh West says in the 60 years he has called Accomack County home, he has never heard of anything like this.
"It's bad," remarked West. "Somebody going around doing stuff like that, don't know who's doing it. I don't know what's the reason they're doing it for."
This 25th arson, set Sunday night in Hallwood, comes on the heels of two other weekend fires police say were intentionally set. Earlier that same day, a small business in the county was the target of arson. Shortly before 2 a.m., firefighters were called to Boston Road in Pungoteague, where a portable catering trailer belonging to AH's Kajun Kitchen had been set on fire. There were no reported injuries but the co-owner of the business said the structure is a total loss.
With the tally growing, people like West worry their homes could be next.
"You go somewhere and you come back and your house could be burnt down to the ground," he remarked.
So far, the arsonist has struck abandoned buildings; from an empty chicken house in New Church, to abandoned homes in Melfa and Tasley. But Saturday night's blaze at a mobile restaurant indicated whoever is doing this may be changing course.
And with the Holiday season upon us, locals are hopeful a suspect will soon be caught.
"And Christmas hasn't even gotten here yet, so you just have to hope and pray that the Lord just take care of us," said Hall.
Police said special agents were out all weekend working the fire investigations and following leads. Investigators are still asking the public to come forward with any and all information that could help them solve this case.
