Residents pray for end to arsons

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - Tuesday night, local churches on the Eastern Shore teamed up to pray for an arrest of an arsonist who has so far burned more than 70 structures.

At Nandua High School in Onley, approximately 100 residents gathered for a prayer service.

Interactive Timeline: Eastern Shore arsons

"We should have been doing this after there were 10 arsons or 20 arsons," Reverend Steve Jones said.  "If it goes on long enough, someone will be serious injured or killed."

"I think everybody is afraid somebody will be hurt or someone's home will be burned," Jo said.

Brooks Pruitt, also from Accomac, said the prayer service was held in an effort to halt the terrorizing acts.

"The Bible says if you ask in his name you will receive it," Pruitt said. "So, we are asking."

"We're doing this because we think we need God's help, God's intervention," Jones said.

The group also prayed for the safety of volunteer firefighters, who are also receiving help in the form of donations from a Harrisburg, Pa. fire department. 

Locals throughout the Eastern Shore are setting up collection boxes for bottled water, hot chocolate, coffee, snack foods and cups for the firefighters.

There will be a similar prayer event Thursday at the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Temperanceville at 7 p.m.