Officials: Alcohol spilling into Ky. River after Jim Beam warehouse fire

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)-The Kentucky River is increasingly showing the effects of the alcohol that spilled into Glenns Creek as a result of the July 2 fire at the Jim Beam bourbon warehouse in Woodford County.

Officials say teams from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and representatives from Beam Suntory, along with three teams from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources were on the river Friday, sampling water oxygen levels and documenting the number of fish killed.

The agencies are seeing increasing quantities of dead and distressed fish, according to the Ky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

They say agencies have seen dead fish downstream of the city of Frankfort.

These teams will continue assessments and work to mitigation efforts of the spill until water quality returns to normal conditions in the river.

Other impacts observed on the river include foaming, discoloration, and odor.

Officials are urging caution regarding the consumption of distressed fish.

They recommend that if you discover fish that appear to be unhealthy or dying, do not capture or use for consumptive purposes.

Officials say never consume fish that have already died.

Fishing and other recreation along the river is not prohibited at this time, but users are encouraged to be aware of conditions before using the waterway.

They will continue to monitor the water.