Volunteer firefighter and girlfriend suspected of setting more than 70 fires that plagued rural community



A former volunteer firefighter and his girlfriend arrested Tuesday are suspected of setting most of the 77 arsons that have haunted Virginia's Eastern Shore for the last five months.

Charles R. Smith III, who went by the alias Charles Applegate when he served as captain of the Tasley Volunteer Fire Department several years ago, and his girlfriend, Tonya S. Bundick, were arrested early Tuesday, shortly after an abandoned home in Melfa, Virginia, was set ablaze.

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said the pair are believed to be responsible for most of the fires set since November.

Scroll down for video

Arrested: Charles R Smith III, 40, and his girlfriend Tonya S Bundick, 38, were arrested after they were found near the scene of a fire set on Monday night



Devastation: This March 5 blaze was one of the 77 arsons that occurred in the rural Eastern Shore of Virginia from November to April

Plague: The 77 intentionally-set fires have struck houses up and down the length of the peninsula since November

Others, Geller said, appear to have been set by someone else.

'We are confident that Bundick and Smith are responsible for the majority of the fires set,' Geller said.

Investigators said they do not yet know the motive behind the fires.

Bundick, 40, and Smith, 38, were charged with one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson, but Geller said more charges should be filed soon.



Both are being held in Accomack County Jail without bond, pending court appearances Wednesday. It was not immediately clear whether they had attorneys.

Investigators raided Bundick's home today as they searched for evidence tying her to the arsons

'This is really just the beginning of the end,' Geller said, adding that the investigation into the fires continues.

Bundick and Smith live in Parksley, a small community where the first of 77 deliberately set fires was lit.



On March 14 Bundick wrote a message about the fires on her Facebook page.

'I have often wondered if arsonist is reading and laughs…I myself am not afraid just cautious…I am always on lookout when my animals start barking and when my livestock start making noise. Make (yourself) aware of the little things,' she said.



Video: Authorities announce arrest of arson suspects





