MARCUS HOOK, Pa. (CBS) – Authorities in Delaware County have arrested a Marcus Hook man and charged him with setting nine arson fires within a block and a half of his home over the last eight months.

Christopher Sargent, 24, (above) was picked up early Thursday morning by officers patrolling the area near his Market Street home. Marcus Hook police chief John Ireland says Sargent admitted to setting all nine blazes:

“An abandoned house — next door was an occupied structure, a twin dwelling there and the arsonist actually hit that house two times.”

In March and mid-August, both times risking the life of a young girl living in that occupied house on 9th street. He was picked up while allegedly trying to set another fire to campaign signs attached to a garage just up the block. Ireland won’t discuss a motive but credits dogged police work, with help from county detectives in tracking down Sargent.

He’s being held in lieu of a $250,000 cash bail.