A firefighter battles an overnight fire that occurred at a two-story abandoned building on 21000 Fair Oaks Road in Melfa. (Photo: WBOC)MELFA, Va.- Authorities are investigating three more fires that occurred overnight on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Two of the fires have been determined to be intentionally set, bringing to 48 the number of arsons currently under investigation in the county.
Firefighters responded to the first fire on 19000 Quimbly Bridge Road in Quimbly at around 11:22 p.m. Monday. The fire had been set to a two-story abandoned building that sustained fire damage to the rear of the building.
Police then received a call about a second fire at a two-story abandoned building on 21000 Fair Oaks Road in Melfa. The fire was put out, but not before causing significant damage to the building. After being extinguished, the fire re-ignited around 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, burning the building to the ground.
At 1:54 a.m. Tuesday, a third fire was reported just south of Accomack County. Firefighters went to the scene at 12000 Houston Street in Exmore to extinguish the fire set to an abandoned, one-story building that received interior damage as a result of the fire.
Police said the fires that occurred in Melfa and Quimby have been linked to the previously 46 confirmed cases of arson currently under investigation. The cause of the Exmore fire remains under investigation.
No injuries were reported in any of the three fires.
Virginia State Police said the criminal investigation into the confirmed arsons continues and a $5,000 reward has been offered to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest.
