A RESERVOIR has been polluted and wildlife killed after diesel and chemicals from a fire at a garage were spread by floods.

Birds have been found dead at the Gorse Pitt reservoir, in Walkden, Salford.

The pollution came after a fire at the VRS vehicle depot on Barlow Street, which is used to store cars awaiting forensic inspection by the police.

Police say they are treating the blaze as arson. The depot had been broken into before being set alight.

Eleven homes were evacuated as 25 firefighters fought to control the blaze.

Flash flooding meant diesel from the cars and chemicals from the clean-up operation spread into a nearby stream which flows to the reservoir.

Angler Robert Fearnhead witnessed the damage.

He said: "There was a 250-yard rainbow of chemicals spread over the surface and round the banks. Birds were already lying dead around the reservoir.

"When you got close your mouth started to burn. I had to go home to brush my teeth."

Mr Fearnhead, who lives on Windmill Road, Walkden, claimed the Environment Agency had been slow to react.

He said: "Me and some of the other lads at the angling club started to clean out the water ourselves. II've spent hours doing it."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We were informed of the spill on Monday and went to the site on Tuesday. We found that diesel had mixed into the water.

"Our fisheries and environment officers have been out to the site and don't believe the incident will have any significant impact on the wildlife."
Ian Haze, fisheries officer, said: "The diesel shouldn't affect fish as it tends to sit on top of the water. Actions have been taken to stop petrol spreading."