Roanoke Rapids man issued citation for brush fire

Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — Crews battled a brush fire for three hours Sunday afternoon off Interstate 95, near mile-marker 168, north of N.C. Highway 903 in Roanoke Rapids.

A man was monitoring a controlled burn at his 138 Family Drive home when the fire got out of control at about 3:20 p.m., Rheasville Fire Department Chief Rocky Cobb said.

Crews from Rheasville, Halifax and Darlington fire departments, along with the Division of Forest Resources, responded to the blaze. The fire spread to 3 acres of woods, near the man's house and to his auto parts business before it was contained at about 6:15 p.m., Cobb said. Some 25 cars and 100 tires burned.

The man, whose name was not released, was issued a citation.

No injuries were reported.