Mold: 50 dead fish found in river after chemical fire warning

Around 50 dead fish have been found in a river following a fire and explosions at a chemical factory.

Firefighters were still at the Synthite plant on Denbigh Road in Mold, Flintshire after a fire on Tuesday.

People have been asked not to go near the River Alyn and to keep their pets out of the water.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Caroline Dawson from the Welsh Dee Trust, who described the water as "grey".

The BBC has approached Synthite for comment.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed that around 50 dead fish were found and that samples will be taken for analysis.

Lyndsey Rawlinson from NRW said: "We will take any necessary action needed to identify and mitigate any impacts downstream.

"As a precaution, we're asking people not to go near the River Alyn and to also keep animals away from the water."

She added that multiple agencies will continue to work together to minimise the impact on the community and environment.

River trustee Ms Dawson, from Mold, said she was asked to go and see what was happening on the Alyn.

"The water was a grey cloudy colour, was not inviting," she said. "We walked down from the factory and all the fish we saw were dead.

"The insects and invertebrates were as if they were trying to get out of the water."

North Wales Fires and Rescue Service (NWFRS) said it was working with officials from NRW and would continue to monitor the water courses and take any necessary action.

Mike Plant from NWFRS said: "As a precaution, we are asking people not to go near the River Alyn and to keep animals away from the water."

Public Health Wales has told people living nearby that keeping windows and doors closed is no longer necessary.

The fire service and North Wales Police said they were assisting the Health and Safety Executive with its investigation, and roads around the factory will remain closed for at least another 24 hours.