Some apartments were evacuated and parts of Jefferson Park Avenue and Shamrock Road in Charlottesville closed Monday due to a fire.
Around 4:00 p.m. a person noticed trees were on fire behind apartments along the 1700 block of Jefferson Park Avenue. Fire crews say they believe the fire spread up a hill from railroad ties that were being stored at the side of the nearby railroad tracks.
Charlottesville Fire Chief Charles Werner says the weather played a major role in the fire spreading. He said this is a very dangerous time of the year with winds and dry conditions.
According to the fire chief, some toxins in the railroad ties are causing health concerns. Fumes from the burning railroad ties may have an affect on the elderly and have respiratory illnesses. The fire chief is asking people who have inhaled the smoke and who are not feeling well to go to the hospital to get checked out.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the fire marshall says there was so much water damage, he doesn't know if they will discover the reason.
Reported by Henry Graff
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