Nether Bricks

Nether Bricks are a type of block used to form generated structures in The Nether, making up a majority of Nether Fortresses, forming their walls and supporting pillars. Nether Brick does not generate anywhere else in the nether. Currently, the player cannot craft Nether Brick. However, Nether Brick can be crafted into Nether Brick Stairs and Nether Brick Fences. Also, Nether Brick is immune to Ghast fireballs and other attacks making it a suitable shelter material in The Nether. Nether Bricks take approximately one second to mine with a stone pickaxe, which is a little shorter than the time required to mine normal stone.

Nether Brick does not burn continuously, unlike Netherrack. It appears similar to the brick block, but is textured differently. When walking on it, it makes the same step sound as stone. So far, the only uses for Nether Brick are for crafting stairs, fences, and as use as a decoration. Note that wood is a better material for fences because only 2 blocks of wood are required for 6 fence posts, whereas 6 Nether Bricks are required for the same amount of fence posts.

History
Nether Brick was added in 1.0.0 ; they first appeared in the first 1.9 Pre-Release.

Trivia

 * In comparison, the Nether brick and bricks seem similar, but are different by rectangles that make them up placed in different locations on the brick.
 * Due to a glitch in 1.0.0, a wall of Nether brick can sometimes be just barely transparent. If you have a fly mod or Single Player Commands, you can fly up and down to just barely see the block 2 blocks behind the Nether Brick wall.