THE huge fire which destroyed a store at Pomeroy Pressman Products at Coleford last week has wiped out wildlife along a four mile stretch of the brook running through the Newland valley.
Redbrook fishery owner Mike Jones says only quick action saved the Big Well Fishery and those at Glyn Farm.
As a result of the fire the stream became polluted with chemicals.
Pumps were brought in to divert the stream away from the ponds and all the fisheries were saved - though fish and insect life in the stream above the pumps was destroyed. The chemicals eventually spilled into the Wye.
Mr Jones said he was still trying to find out what chemicals were in the water and whether they were safe to breath or touch.
"We still don't know the answer. No-one seems to know," he said.
"The experience with the Environment Agency on Friday could be likened to fighting a battle with them as the enemy. Co-operation and assistance - which you would automatically expect - was non existent. All they were interested in was drumming up that they were underfunded," he said.
Mr Jones said the pumps would continue to be operated until the EA said it was safe to stop.