Attempted arson reported at ES church

EASTERN SHORE, Va. (WAVY) - State Police say they are investigating an attempted arson at an Eastern Shore church.

According to Corinne Geller with Virginia State Police, troopers were sent to the 21,000 block of Deep Creek Road in Onancock Wednesday afternoon.

Geller said based on evidence found at Leatherbury United Methodist Church, an individual or a group of individuals attempted to set fire to the building between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon.

Church member Joe Morgan said there was noticeable damage.

"It looks minimal but at the same time, repairs are not cheap anymore," Morgan said. "It's going to take quite a bit to repair it."

Police have yet to confirm whether this attempted fire is the work of a serial arsonist(s) responsible for 48 arson cases reported on the Eastern Shore since mid-November 2012.

Photos: Eastern Shore Arsons

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office has increased the monetary reward to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for those fires. Initially, the reward was set at $5,000.

Text, call or email tips to 757-655-1437.