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Eastern Shore arson suspect denied bond, reportedly admits to starting most of the fires

Posted at 11:28 PM, Apr 10, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-11 06:22:47-04

Accomack County, Va. - Charles Smith will remain in jail after a judge didn't grant him bond at a hearing Wednesday afternoon.

The Eastern Shore News reports Smith confessed to sparking 52 of the 77 fires.

Smith's troubles all started April 1st, when the former firefighter and his fiancé Tonya Bundick were arrested after police say they were caught on camera starting an arson on Airport Drive.

Smith took responsibility for most of the fires, but not all of them. He blamed his soon-to-be wife for more than a dozen of them.

Search warrants filed Wednesday show Smith told police Bundick drove her white Dodge Avenger to 15 abandoned buildings and personally set fire to them.

Police went through her car Tuesday afternoon and found clothes and papers, as well as a black shoe.

They had already collected evidence from the gold mini-van the couple was driving when they were caught last week. There they found a gas can, lighters, towels and computers.
Police now have the unenviable task of going through months of evidence, though Smith has already claimed he and Bundick are responsible for 67 of the 77 arsons.