NEW CASTLE — Police have arrested eight people, including two juveniles, accused of setting a dozen fires in this arson-plagued city.

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

All eight were arrested today 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.