The Thames River is getting a clean bill of health following an ethanol fire in Chatham earlier this year.
Back on September 16, 2026, a fire broke out at Greenfield Global's site on Bloomfield Road.
The company confirmed that firefighting foam used to fight the blaze accidentally entered the Thames River. According to a University of Guelph study, certain foam can be extremely harmful and toxic to aquatic life.
Concerns were raised once several dead fish were spotted floating in the river shortly after the fire. At the time, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks said they were aware of the dead fish and were conducting tests to determine whether it was connected to the foam and fire.
In the weeks since, the ministry wouldn't confirm whether the tests proved there was a connection, just that there were no lasting impacts from the fire.
"The ministry conducted sampling at the site and found no evidence of ongoing impacts to the Thames River," read a statement.
The ministry explained that it will continue to monitor the area as the cleanup continues from the fire.
