Fuel dumping sparks river alert

A major pollution alert was launched on the River Stour today after a "substantial amount" of petrol or diesel was dumped in a drain in Kidderminster town centre.

Police sealed off New Road to traffic, forcing motorists to use the Ring Road as fire crews waded into the water to try to seal the drain.

They were alerted by workers at Smithy's 2 sandwich bar in New Road who could smell fuel and feared a possible explosion.

Firefighters tackling the spillage with environmental officials discovered a black slick of fuel. It is believed, for some unknown reason, someone deliberately dumped petrol, diesel or oil down a stormdrain.

The fuel seeped into a pipe which runs underground for about six to eight yards to the nearby River Stour.

There are fears the pollution could affect fish and wildlife along the river.

Civic leaders and British Waterways during the past few years have worked hard to clean up the river to make it more of a feature for townsfolk.

Incident Commander for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Phil Berry said: "There has been a substantial leakage of fuel and this could damage the watercourse. After sealing the drain with pipe-sealers we were then able to remove the remaining fuel from the stormdrain."

Environment Agency officer Martin Quine said that the stormdrain had been "full of fuel".

He said: "Anything which enters and pollutes a brook or watercourse is of concern. Pollution can affect fish and wildlife along the river."

The Environment Agency is now investigating who caused the pollution scare.