A FIRE at a Greenfield business claimed the lives of several indirect victims – fish.
Sachets, on Wellington Industrial Park – behind the village’s Tesco supermarket, off Wellington Road – has been left devastated following the blaze on Sunday, August 17.
People living on nearby Knoll Close were evacuated from their homes as firefighters dealt with burning chemicals at the firm, which makes cleaning products and antiseptic wipes.
Tesco was also closed for several hours, although it reopened that afternoon.
But foam used to douse the fire, plus water that had been pumped originally from the River Tame and Huddersfield Narrow Canal, bypassed booms that had been put in place.
And the effects of that pollution saw hundreds of fish found dead in the water.
That led Environment Agency officers to inspect the area – with foam travelling down the river as far as Mossley.
Two days later, on Monday, August 18, no animals were found dead.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Our officers worked with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to respond to a fire in Oldham.
“Although containment measures were taken, some firewater runoff entered the River Tame.
“Officers recorded several hundred dead fish in the affected area.
“Fisheries Officers returned to the site and confirmed that no additional fish fatalities have been identified.
“Foam remains visible on the river, particularly around weirs where the water is more turbulent.
“However, observations indicate that the foam is dispersing downstream after passing over the weirs.
“The Environment Agency will continue to monitor the situation to assess any ongoing environmental impacts and determine next steps.”
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