DAN NEPHIN
Associated Press Writer

NEW CASTLE, Pa. - Police in western Pennsylvania have arrested eight people, including two juveniles, accused of setting a dozen fires in the arson-plagued city of New Castle.

New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone says the suspects all knew each other but worked in groups of two or three.

All eight were arrested Thursday on charges including arson and conspiracy to commit arson. Police don't have a motive, though in some cases copper pipes were removed from buildings.

A break in the case came recently when a resident reported hearing breaking glass in a nearby building. Police discovered three of the suspects there.

In all, Sansone says there have been 34 arsons involving vacant or abandoned buildings in New Castle since June 2007.

Sansone says he expects more arrests to come.

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