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Madeley pool tests follow fish deaths 'Farm silage' caused fish deaths at Madeley pool
(about 3 hours later)
Tests are set to be carried out on a village pool in Staffordshire after hundreds of fish were found dead. Agricultural silage polluted a village pool in Staffordshire killing an estimated 100 to 200 fish, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.
The fish were discovered in Madeley, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Tuesday morning. The fish were found dead in Madeley, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Tuesday morning sparking a large rescue operation of surviving fish.
Dozens of volunteers worked with firefighters to try to save hundreds of other fish in the pool, which were then taken to local fisheries. Tom Thornett, from the agency, said silage must have got in from a stream.
Scientists from the Environment Agency have begun an investigation to find out what caused the deaths. An investigation would look at whether anyone was "culpable" or there was reckless behaviour, he added.
An agency spokesman said on Tuesday the fish deaths were suspected to be the result of pollution up stream in the River Lea. Mr Thornett said it could also have been an accident.
Dozens of volunteers worked with firefighters and anglers to try to save hundreds of other fish in the pool, which were then taken to local fisheries.
'Absolutely catastrophic''Absolutely catastrophic'
But the agency has warned its investigation into the cause may take some time. Mr Thornett said: "Due to the sterling efforts of local anglers and the assistance of the fire brigade there were quite a lot of fish rescued and some oxygen has been pumped back into the pond to help build the levels up."
Ten firefighters, including a boat crew, helped rescue other fish from the village pool. He said silage stripped oxygen from the water, causing fish to suffocate.
Parish councillor Gary White said residents were "out in force" and were putting fish into buckets and paddling pools to try to save them. Further tests would be carried out at the pool, including checking oxygen levels, before the fish were returned.
Parish councillor Gary White said residents were "out in force" putting fish into buckets and paddling pools to try to save them.
Mr White said of the pool: "It's a major amenity for this village.Mr White said of the pool: "It's a major amenity for this village.
"There's a fishing club that operates from here, there's a Madeley pool society."There's a fishing club that operates from here, there's a Madeley pool society.
"We're in a conservation area so it's absolutely catastrophic for us.""We're in a conservation area so it's absolutely catastrophic for us."