A shocking fire in Western New York has done more than torch a massive warehouse — it’s now threatening the health of a key fishery and putting local anglers on high alert.
On Saturday night, August 30, a 50,000-square-foot warehouse belonging to Eco Operations in Gorham, Ontario County, erupted in flames. The warehouse, which was storing expired hand sanitizer and other volatile materials, became the source of a surreal environmental hazard when the flammable sanitizer leaked into nearby ditches then ignited, creating a burning stream of water.
A video shared by the Crystal Beach Fire Department captured the dramatic scene as the fire raged and hand sanitizer runoff lit the ditch on fire.
“With all the water that was necessary to put on the site, and all the hand sanitizer, there was a flow downhill and was in the ditch in front of this building,” Gorham Town Supervisor Dale Stell told NYup.com. “It would have been on fire before it got to the ditch… Hand sanitizer has a certain percentage of alcohol, and it floats on top of water.”
Over 32 fire departments and various other agencies responded to the blaze, with specialized foam equipment brought in from Syracuse to contain the fire, which continued smoldering days later, reports the Finger Lakes Times.
DEC Issues Advisory for Flint Creek: No Fishing Until Further Notice
While the fire itself was a public safety concern, anglers were dealt another blow when the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH) issued a recreational use advisory for Flint Creek, a stream that runs through the affected area.
According to the DEC, “Out of an abundance of caution, the public is advised to avoid all contact with the entire length of Flint Creek downstream of Dewey Avenue to the Canandaigua Outlet, including recreational uses such as fishing, fish consumption, boating, and swimming, until further notice.”
This advisory follows reports of “several hundred small, dead fish” discovered in the creek, likely due to chemical contamination from the fire runoff. Ethanol, the active ingredient in hand sanitizer, is toxic to fish and other aquatic life, even in low concentrations. When introduced into waterways, it can reduce oxygen levels and disrupt sensitive ecosystems.
DEC field teams are now actively monitoring the situation. “Protecting the health of New Yorkers and the environment is the top priority,” the agency said in a release. “DEC will continue to coordinate with local, State, and federal officials as the fire investigation and response continues and keep the community informed as information becomes available” (NYS DEC, 2025).
Although there is no indication that public drinking water supplies have been affected, anglers are urged to stay away from the area and report any further signs of fish kills or water discoloration to the DEC’s Spill Hotline at 800-457-7362.
What It Means for Local Anglers
Flint Creek is a valuable fishery in Ontario County and serves as a tributary to the Canandaigua Outlet, impacting the greater Finger Lakes watershed. The sudden closure, especially during early fall when many species are transitioning habitats, will likely affect anglers who rely on these waters for trout, bass, and panfish action.
Anglers who regularly fish in Flint Creek or the Canandaigua Outlet should check for updates from the DEC and consider shifting to unaffected bodies of water in the region. The Finger Lakes area is rich in alternative fishing spots, but this incident is a stark reminder of how industrial accidents can have a fast and far-reaching impact on aquatic life.
