Fears for wildlife at reserve after fire

Officials are investigating reports a Black Country nature reserve has been contaminated, sparking fears for wildlife.

Dudley Council confirmed it is carrying out an assessment at Fens Pool Nature Reserve in Brierley Hill.

It is working with the Environment Agency which was called in amid reports of dead fish after a severe blaze at a biofuels storage plant in nearby Wallows Industrial Estate. After tackling the blaze, crews built a makeshift dam to try and prevent water which had been contaminated by the biodiesel reaching the reserve.

The operation was originally hailed a success but now there are fears the reserve's populations of migrating waterfowl, frogs, toads, fish and Great Crested Newt may be at risk.

Council spokesman Clare Marshall said: "We are carrying out an assessment of the pond to determine whether there is any contamination. Subject to the results of the assessment a way forward will be determined in conjunction with other agencies."

Environment Agency spokesman Emily Poyser confirmed officials had been sent to the reserve.

"We have got people down there with the council assessing the pools after receiving reports of dead fish," she said.

"We are taking readings to establish if the water is contaminated.

"Once we have measured the impact we will decide the best course of action which could involve draining water from the pools."

Two factories which store biodiesel were gutted in the blaze at Wallows Industrial Estate in Fens Pool Avenue earlier this month. It is believed arsonists set fire to three vans parked near the factories and the fire spread to the units.