Jim Beam warehouse fire causing wildlife issues

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The recent Jim Beam bourbon warehouse fire in Versailles destroyed about 45,000 barrels of young bourbon, causing alcohol to find its way into the Kentucky River.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet has been sending out teams to count the dead fish and take samples of oxygen levels.

“We think that now the site is stabilized as far as bourbon leaching into Glenns Creek,” says John Mura, Director of Communication for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

Experts have discovered there are other issues like foaming, discoloration and odor in the river.

Although they have been finding dead fish, they think this could be just the beginning.

“As far as the fish kill, we’re going to see whatever is going to happen in the next day or two we’ll know the magnitude of it,” Mura says.

ABC 36 spoke with a neighbor who lives along the river about what he’s seen so far.

“I don’t think you would notice unless you jump in and, it’s summer so people are swimming and I may be swimming in the river tomorrow but, as of right now, I haven’t noticed anything different,” Mark Rogers says.

Wildlife experts are warning people not the eat dead or distressed fish the find in the area.