Lit by Love: Serial Arson in Accomack County, VA - Part 2

About this episode

This episode explores the escalating arson in Accomack County, focusing on the personal story of Charles Smith and his relationship with Tonya Bundick amidst the chaos.

Episode 106 In Part 2 of Lit by Love, the fires in Accomack County escalate from suspicious to unmistakably intentional—spreading fear through a rural community unaccustomed to this level of destruction. As investigators struggle to keep up with a growing number of blazes, tensions rise among residents, rumors take hold online, and volunteer firefighters are pushed to their limits responding to near-nightly calls. But beneath the surface of this arson spree, a more personal story begins to emerge. This episode dives into the background of Charles Smith—a troubled man shaped by addiction, loss, and a lifelong search for belonging—and his intense relationship with Tonya Bundick. What starts as connection and devotion quickly becomes something more volatile, as financial strain, emotional instability, and deep-seated insecurity collide. As the fires continue to burn across Accomack County, one question looms larger than ever: Is this just arson… or something driven by love, desperation, and a need to prove it? Buy Monica Hesse's amazing book on this case: American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing Land here: https://a.co/d/0609yUqG The Crime to Burn Patreon - The Cult of…

People in this episode

Host: lilpyrogirl

Topics covered

• arson
• true crime
• community impact
• personal stories
• investigation
• relationships

Keywords

• Accomack County
• arson
• Charles Smith
• Tonya Bundick
• investigation
• firefighters
• community
• addiction
• relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing Land

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