A series of brush fires today may have been sparked by a car from a passing train, Roanoke Rapids Fire Chief Gary Corbet said.

The fires were reported around 5 p.m. and stretched from Tenth Street to Jefferson Street. There were five separate fires reported, the chief said.

It took about two hours and assistance from Davie volunteer firefighters to extinguish the fires which occurred in the brush along the tracks and ignited old rail ties and other debris.

Corbet said he surmised a hung brake may have thrown sparks and CSX officials said they agreed with his observation.

Fires occurred behind Lowes Food, Georgia and Carolina streets, Carolina Street and Virginia Avenue, the foot of Jefferson Street behind Guardian Care and on Hamilton Street.

There was no property damage reported.