Residents have been warned to keep away from the lake where thousands of dead fish have been found.

Romford Recorder: Thousands of dead fish were found in a pond in Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch. Photo: Alan WilliamsThousands of dead fish were found in a pond in Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch. Photo: Alan Williams (Image: Alan Williams)

Dirty water flushed from households around a Hornchurch park has killed thousands of fish.

Fish were spotted floating to the top of the lake in Harrow Lodge Park and the council has said that this is because of an oxygen crash.

According to the council the rain over last weekend (Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29) has had the consequence of flushing dirty de-oxygenated water into the river that feeds the lake.

This means that water from sinks, baths and appliances flows into surface level drains not the deep level foul drain.

Councillor Osman Dervish said that this water comes from homes and businesses that are not properly connected to the sewer system.

This has ultimately caused an oxygen crash in the lake.

Only a few weeks ago more than 100 dead birds were found at the park as the hot weather caused a potent outbreak of botulism in the lake.

Volunteers then spent hours clearing up the bodies of swans and geese who were killed by the disease.

Cllr Dervish added: “Sadly this is not unique and has happened up and down the country.

“This has been reported to the Environment Agency and our Park Rangers are working hard to clear up as many fish as they can.

“We are also running additional pumps to increase the oxygen levels again.

“We are asking people to keep dogs out the water until things are stabilised.”