Cincinnati firehouses facing bed bug siege

CINCINNATI, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- An army of bed bugs has laid siege to a number of fire stations in Cincinnati, prompting an emergency city meeting, union leaders say.

Firefighters Union President Marc Monahan said the appearance of the bugs at area fire houses prompted a meeting between union leaders and Cincinnati City Council members in an attempt to find a way to contain the problem, Cincinnati's WLWT-TV reported Wednesday.

"We've got 26 fire houses we're chasing them from, as soon as one house seems under control another house pops up," Monahan said.

Firefighters have tabbed the insect invasion a byproduct of their firefighting runs, saying the tiny creatures latch onto their uniforms as they brush against couches or beds while fighting blazes.

While at least one fire house has thrown away a couch due to the insect infestation, Dr. Mohammad Alam of the health department called for the disposal of firefighters' Tyvex suits after each run, WLWT said.