Canal pollution has spread eight miles

Monday 10th October 2011, 11:30AM BST.

Contamination in a Midland canal that has already killed more than 10,000 fish has now spread more than eight miles – with some devastated residents revealing they had netted out some fish to save them.

The Birmingham Old Main Line canal became contaminated following an arson attack that destroyed two warehouses containing aerosols, paints and oils in Ettingshall, Wolverhampton. Now walkers have spotted dead fish floating on top of the water in Short Heath, Willenhall.

The pollution has already spread to the Wyrley and Essington canal, which travels through Wednesfield and boats are still being stopped from using part of the canal network to stop the spread of pollution.

Angie Hodder spotted hundreds of dead fish as she walked along the canal close to High Road, Short Heath, at the weekend.

The 36-year-old housewife said: “It’s an absolute catastrophe. I saw hundreds of dead fish. “Some were gasping for air. It was very sad to see.”

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