Railroad Ties Burn in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI --

A side effect of a chemical used to make wood last longer made for a long night for Cincinnati firefighters.

About 100 railroad ties caught fire on top of a steep hill in the East End early Tuesday morning.

The ties were coated in creosote, a tar-like substance that help protect the ties from weather and aging.

The creosote also makes the ties easier to burn and harder to put out, firefighters said.

Fire crews were at the scene much of the night making sure the fire stayed out. A previous fire rekindled after firefighters left, neighbors said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported, though residents did report a strange smell caused by the fire.