The public has been warned to avoid the canal following its cyanide contamination – a 19-kilometer stretch of water is now affected by the “severe” toxic pollution

The public has been warned to avoid a canal in the West Midlands where dead fish were found after the water was contaminated with deadly cyanide.

The “serious” leak of toxic chemicals affected a 19km stretch of water in Walsall and triggered a major incident that had to be reported.

The Environment Agency tested the water in the sewers and towpaths for sodium cyanide and the leader of Walsall Council later confirmed that this was the substance.

Residents along the waterway were told not to eat fish from the canal or come into contact with the contaminated water.

The public has been asked to avoid an extended area of ​​the canal and towpaths between the lock staircase at Walsall and the lock staircases at Rushall, Ryders Green and Perry Barr.

The Environmental Agency tested the water in the sewer networks and towpaths for sodium cyanide

A sign warns that the spilled liquid could pose a serious health hazard if “you or your pets come into contact with it.”

Walsall Council leader Garry Perry confirmed the substance was sodium cyanide, which can cause seizures, vomiting and unconsciousness.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, it is used in industry for metal cleaning, coating, extraction and photography.

The Environment Agency said it was investigating Anochrome Ltd, a surface coatings and sealing company, as a possible source of the leak.

The public body described the incident in Walsall as “unacceptable” and threatened to take “tough law enforcement action” if any wrongdoing occurred.

Anochrome describes itself on its website as a “quality and environmentally conscious organization.”

Walsall City Council had previously stated that a serious incident had occurred on Tuesday.

An EA spokesman said: “We are working closely with Walsall City Council and the UK Health Security Agency to respond to the serious chemical accident in Walsall and assess the impact on the environment.”

“We are currently investigating the company that is believed to have caused this incident.”

Pictures were taken of dead fish floating in the canal, which was poisoned by the deadly contamination of toxic chemicals.

The leak, discovered on Monday, had entered a section of the canal from Spinks Bridge in Walsall to Birchills Street Bridge.

Walsall Council said the Environment Agency was testing sewer water in the affected area for sodium cyanide and other chemicals.

Contact with the chemical can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, changes in heart rate and loss of consciousness, according to the agency (file image).

The canal was closed on Wednesday morning. Several police cars and members of the Canals and Rivers Trust were on site.

A section of canal at Reservoir Place in Walsall (West Midlands), where dead fish are floating on the water surface, is cordoned off by police.

“Pollution of this kind is unacceptable and can have serious impacts on wildlife and the environment. If violations are discovered, we will take strict action.”

“We have put in place a sampling and testing program and urge the public to follow safety advice from local authorities.”

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture said ministers were closely monitoring the situation, adding: “Such toxic pollution is a disgrace.”

Anochrome said it immediately notified the EA and Severn Trent Water following the incident and its management team remained on site working to minimise and contain the oil spill, BBC News reported.

Bruce and Lauris Crook, 72 and 70, originally from New Zealand, live on a narrowboat and have been unable to pass through the canal's locks since Monday because water tests are being carried out.

Mr Crook told the PA news agency: “They want the water to remain as undisturbed as possible. As a first step, it seems they want everything to remain calm.”

“The locks were closed for necessary repairs, but on Monday afternoon the closure was larger. So we cannot move.”

The council added that anyone who caught fish from the canal should not eat them, while drinking water will not be affected by the incident.

In a statement, the council said it had been informed by the Environment Agency on 12 August of an oil spill in Pleck that had flowed directly into the canal.

“We have registered with the Canal and River Trust as an interested party and they will let us know when they are happy for the boats to resume sailing.”

Residents in the area expressed their frustration and anger after the news became known, and expressed concern about the damage the chemical could cause to the environment.

Martyn Lever told the Express & Star: “We use the canal all the time for leisure, recreation and dog walking. I also volunteer to pick up rubbish there and we try to keep the area as clean and tidy as possible.”

“When you see something like this, when you stand on the bridge and see dead fish lying on the bridge, it is a terrible sight. Two days ago everything was fine, but yesterday morning we saw the pollution and it seems as if it was allowed to happen.