Up to 1,000 fish are thought to have died in the Silverburn river as dog walkers are warned not to let their dogs enter the water.

Isle of Man Today understands the deaths are linked to the blaze at Castletown and Malew fire and ambulance station on Thursday evening at the Ronaldsway industrial estate and may have been caused by foam used to tackle the fire seeping into the river.

At the height of the incident, which happened shortly after 5pm, nine fire appliances were at the scene, including a turntable ladder and a specialist appliance from the Airport Fire and Rescue Service, along with several support vehicles and officers.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has not officially linked the two incidents so far but issued a statement.

It says: ‘DEFA is aware of the situation involving fish deaths in the Silverburn river, near Poulsom Park, and can confirm that investigations are ongoing.

‘As a precaution, we are advising members of the public not to allow pets to enter the river between Ballasalla and Castletown harbour at this time. Further updates will be provided in due course.’

Two firefighters were injured during the blaze and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.

Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service says it is assessing the impact of the blaze on the station’s operational capability.

In a statement, it said that shortly after 5pm, the fire alarm operated within the building, alerting a member of staff who was on the premises and who discovered a fire in the main appliance room, which houses two fire appliances.

A full emergency response was mobilised from supporting fire stations to deal with the incident.

Police officers and the Ambulance Service also attended. The Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that there has been substantial fire damage to part of the building.

A spokesperson for the Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘An assessment is currently underway to understand what impact this will have on the fire and ambulance station's operational capability.

‘The Chief Fire Officer would like to reassure the public in the Castletown and Malew area that fire cover within their local area was maintained at all times throughout this incident and will continue to be maintained in the coming days and weeks.

‘Fire cover offered to the Airport Fire and Rescue Service will also continue to be maintained.’

Two firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries, the spokesperson confirmed.