ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va.- A lot of questions, not enough answers and growing frustration. That is the case in Accomack County after yet another fire.
Virginia State Police said this latest one happened at an abandoned house near the town of Keller at around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on Lankford Highway (Route 13).
This was the 36th fire since mid-November in Accomack County. The bulk of those fires have been ruled arson. Police have not yet announced the cause of Tuesday's fire.
In light of recent events, some people in the community tell WBOC that they are starting to wonder if enough is being done to stop these fires.
"I am convinced that this is a part of it because of the way it is done," said Claire Nutter, who lives close to where Tuesday's fire happened. "I'm angry because of the way that this is happening and nobody has been caught."
Nutter is not alone as others are concerned that the arson investigation is going nowhere fast.
Chris Hart, who lives in Melfa, said he is not hearing much about what authorities are doing to solve the county's recent string of arsons.
"They can catch people breaking into houses and all that but they can't catch somebody who has burnt down 30 something houses?" Hart said, "I mean all these people around here, they've got to see something."
A storage unit near Heather Dawson's home in Parksley caught fire Monday night. In that case, police are not saying whether it is believed to be the work of an arsonist.
Dawson said she sympathizes with police, who are putting effort into the fire investigations.
"II feel that they are doing their job the best they can," Dawson said. "It is hard to catch one or two people or however many, which is hard and I understand that."
In the meantime, many people said that they are doing their part by staying vigilant and keeping their eyes peeled until police solve the mystery.
On Wednesday, Virginia State Police sent a written statement to all media stating:
"All fires are currently under some form of criminal investigation whether arson or not. But protecting the community is of our utmost concern. Troopers, investigators and other law enforcement representatives are working around the clock to conduct the investigation and patrol the area. Someone knows who is setting these fires. We need that person or persons to come forward with this information."
This abandoned house on Lankford Highway in Keller caught fire Tuesday night. (Photo: WBOC)
