Shropshire barn blaze pollution linked to fish deaths

About 100 fish have been found dead or distressed from pollution caused by a major barn blaze in north Shropshire.

The fish were found by Environment Agency officials at a lake near Vital Earth Ltd, in Sutton Lane, Sutton upon Tern, where the fire started on Wednesday. The fish are believed to have suffered from contaminated water.

Since the discovery, officials have been pumping fresh water from the River Tern into the lake to aid the recovery of the surviving fish.

Firefighters remained at the site today to keep a watching brief on the smouldering waste.

An incident commander has travelled there in the hope he could pronounce the fire was finally under control.

Emily Poyser, communications officer for the Environment Agency, said: "Environment officers have been at the Vital Earth site over the weekend and continue to ensure that contaminated fire water is contained to prevent pollution of local watercourses."

She added: "This has involved creating a lagoon to capture the polluted fire water.

"There are about 100 small fish that have been found dead and distressed in a nearby lake.

"The larger ones seem to be coping okay.

"Oxyjets are in operation and pumping is taking place from the River Tern to the lake to supply clean water to the lake.

"It seems to be working and fingers crossed there won't be too many more fish found dead or distressed."

She added: "Officers at the Vital Earth site are working with the company and fire and rescue to minimise any further impacts and investigate why the fire occurred."

At the height of the barn blaze, crews from Market Drayton, Newport, Wem, Whitchurch and Telford Central, Prees, Hodnet, Ellesmere, Shrewsbury and Tweedale, the incident commander from Shrewsbury and the heavy pumping unit from Prees were all at the scene.

Thick smoke could still be seen billowing from the site and the road remained closed throughout the day.

The building contained about 100 tonnes of waste products.

It followed a fire at the same site on September 26 which involved about 450 tonnes of waste product.