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 b...
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
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Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments:
Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Melanie Curtis, Jenny Mercer and Laura Pisciotta, for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes.
Listener discretion is advised.
Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated
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SOURCES:
- Hesse, Monica. American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land. Liveright Publishing, 2017.
- Johnson, R. Scott, M.D., J.D., LL.M., and Elisabeth Netherton, M.D. “Fire Setting and the Impulse-Control Disorder of Pyromania.” American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal, Vol. 11, No. 7, April 2017.
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2016.110707
- Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission. 2022 Annual Report.
- “Burning Down Accomack – 10 Years Later.” WBOC Delmarva’s News Leader.
https://www.wboc.com/news/watch-burning-down-accomack---10-years-later/video_0aa43587-4fdc-5678-96d2-ce9eb85d62e2.html
- “Second Accomack Arsonist Tonya Bundick’s Prison Sentence Ends.” Curtis, Sean. WBOC Delmarva’s News Leader, September 24, 2025.
https://www.wboc.com/news/second-accomack-arsonist-tonya-bundick-s-prison-sentence-ends/article_62e90020-318e-475a-9ae9-a3e8d90557c6.html
- “Accomack Arsonist Charles Smith to Be Released from Prison Tuesday.” WBOC Delmarva’s News Leader, October 31, 2023.
https://www.wboc.com/news/accomack-arsonist-charles-smith-to-be-released-from-prison-tuesday/article_3f047cee-7825-11ee-8c0b-b3dda31728b0.html
- Cohen, Stefanie. “How a Man’s Sexual Performance Led to a Massive Arson Spree.” New York Post, August 5, 2017.
https://nypost.com/2017/08/05/how-a-mans-sexual-performance-led-to-a-massive-arson-spree/
- Vaughn, Carol. “Serial Arsonist Told Cops Fires an Act of Love.” The Salisbury Daily Times, via Delaware Online.
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/1/01/01/serial-arsonist-told-cops-fires-an-act-of-love/3476357/
- “The Arsonist Was Like a Ghost.” Longreads, August 2, 2017.
https://longreads.com/2017/08/02/the-arsonist-was-like-a-ghost/
- “Were There Any Copycats During the Eastern Shore Arson Spree?” WTVR News 3, April 11, 2014.
https://www.wtkr.com/2014/04/11/were-there-any-copycats-during-eastern-shore-arson-spree
Delmarva Public Media (Don Rush)
- “Charles Smith Gets 15 Years for Accomack County Fires.” April 24, 2015.
- “Bundick Enters Alford Plea to Virginia Eastern Shore Fires.” April 21, 2015.
- “Bundick Faces Third Trial for Accomack County Fires.” December 4, 2014.
- “Tonya Bundick Gets Over 10 Years in Prison for Arson.” September 4, 2014.
- “Bundick to Be Sentenced in Eastern Shore Arson Spree.” September 4, 2014.
- “No New Court-Appointed Attorney for Tonya Bundick.” August 22, 2014.
- “Tonya Bundick Convicted of Arson in Second Trial.” July 16, 2014.
- “Bundick Trial Begins, Has New Relationship.” July 15, 2014.
- “Arson Trial for Bundick Begins Today.” July 14, 2014.
- “Other Fires Could Be Mentioned in Bundick Arson Trial.” June 17, 2014.
- “Bundick Could Get 62 Separate Arson Trials.” April 29, 2014.
- “Arson Trial for Tonya Bundick Will Be Moved to Virginia Beach.” April 11, 2014.
- “Tonya Bundick Trial Delayed.” February 21, 2014.
- “Tonya Bundick Pleads Guilty in Accomack Arson Trial.” January 14, 2014.
- “Bundick’s Fiancé Testifies at Arson Trial.” January 14, 2014.
- “New Details from Indictment in Accomack County Arsons.” December 5, 2013.
