More than 10,000 fish died in Conewago Creek days following the chemical plant fire in Adams County Monday, two state spokesmen said. The public has now been warned to stay out and away from the water, according to The New York Dispatch News.

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Conewago Creek in Adams County was found with contaminants following the Miller Chemical and Fertilizer Plant fire Monday, state environmental said.

Fish and Boat Commission Spokesman Eric Levis says that the 10,000 plus fish found dead were located over a 10- to 15-mile span in the creek. A conservation officer is now investigating the species and number of fish that died, he said.

State Department of Environmental Protection Spokesman John Repetz believes that the contamination came from the runoff after the chemical plant fire had been put out.

Officials around Hanover said 3.8 million gallons of water was used to douse the chemical plant fire. The water reportedly went to an adjacent farm field first, then into Slagle's Run, an area feeding into the Conewago Creek. Apart from the creek, the water also seeped into a power substation nearby.

On Tuesday, Adams County residents by the thousands were still under mandatory water restrictions following the chemical plant fire since one of the region's main water sources had been contaminated, reported The Patriot-News.

Miller Chemical will reportedly be holding excavation work on the field in order to prevent further water from seeping into Slagle's Run. The spokesman however called this only a temporary solution to the chemical plant fire runoff problem. The water will improve only after the contamination's source is stopped, he said.

"Mother Nature does a great job of flushing (contaminants) out," he said, adding that the long-term, if there is one, is still unknown

"It's a pretty big area that's been impacted," Repetz said.

He also said that wells which have been properly constructed and cased will have no problems with water contamination "even if they live along the creek."

Adams and York County officials are now telling people that fishing, boating, or swimming will not be allowed on certain areas of Conewago Creek until further notice, according to The Associated Press.

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