Five people were displaced today after a cooking-related fire heavily damaged a brick home in South Richmond, fire officials said.

Two train cars carrying used railroad ties caught fire in Richmond this afternoon, prompting the engineer to disconnect the locomotive, authorities said. About 40 firefighters hurried to the scene just north of the intersection of Hermitage Road and West Leigh Street shortly before 3 p.m., dousing the flames as a cloud of smoke billowed above.

Richmond Fire Capt. Harvey Bruce Maker displayed a cool head when the alarm sounded at his fire station. “I never did see him get excited at fires . . . probably from his upbringing and his being in the Marine Corps,“ said retired Fire Capt. John E. Hinant, who worked with him at Engine Company 21 on Jefferson Davis Highway. “He knew his job well. You got a fair deal from him. I never knew anyone that didn’t respect Harvey.“