The Environment Agency is calling on anyone who may know more about the vandalism of an oil tank, adjacent to the Lee Bridge Industrial Estate at the weekend.
A valve was opened on a fuel storage tank at the site, which is currently vacant. This oil was set on fire, and a significant amount leaked and ran into the nearby Hebble Brook.
Environment Agency officers were alerted on Saturday 14 April by the fire service who attended the scene to put out the fire. The fire was put out quickly, but greater damage was caused to the nearby brook.
Booms were placed in the brook to absorb the oil, and have been in place for several days.
Environment officer Dave Tempest said: “We are keeping the booms in place, because a lot of the oil soaked into the ground and is still running into the brook. Fortunately, on this occasion, there hasn’t been an impact on the fish in the brook, but this incident could have been much worse.”
If anyone sees a pollution incident they should report it immediately to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.
