Hundreds of fish have died in the River Tame, a tributary of the Mersey, after a large foam wall formed due to water runoff from an industrial blaze. The fire occurred at a cleaning products factory near Oldham, Greater Manchester.
The incident began around 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday, with residents evacuated from nearby homes but later allowed to return. Shocking images showed towering stacks of foam, described as 'foamberg' and likened to icebergs, covering the water. The foam was caused by water used to extinguish the fire at the factory, which produced items like baby wipes and air fresheners.
Craig Hannah, a local resident, described the foam as being up to 13 feet high in some areas and 32 feet long where it became trapped. He noted that the foam began to disperse downstream, resembling icebergs melting. Hannah expressed sadness about the potential implications of the pollution on the river's ecosystem, which he had seen flourish over the years with various fish species and wildlife.
Environment Agency officers responded to the fire and confirmed that while containment measures were in place, some firewater runoff entered the River Tame. "Officers recorded several hundred dead fish in the affected area," a spokesperson stated on Monday. However, the agency reported no additional fish fatalities the following morning. The foam remained visible but appeared to be dispersing downstream. The agency indicated it would continue to monitor the situation and assess any ongoing environmental impacts.
