Anglian Water responded to a report from residents of an oil leak coming from a domestic heating tank that had released hundreds of litres of heating oil into Egleton Brook. 

This oil leak has had an impact on local wildlife, killing fish and threatening to spread into the protected waters of Rutland Water Nature Reserve which is hope to rare and protected species. 

Teams worked through the night to contain the spill using special absorption pads (Photo: RWNR)

In a statement from RWNR, they said: "Thanks to the swift action from Anglian Water, much of the spill was contained before reaching the nature reserve. However, a small quantity of oil made its way into the protected Nature Reserve and SSSI, which Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust staff, Anglian Water and the Environmental Agency have been working to clean up. 

Tim Sexton, senior species and recording officer from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust said: "We are yet to see the full consequences of this terrible accident on the wildlife and will be closely monitoring the situation with both Anglian Water and the Environmental Agency." 

The impacts of the oil spill are yet to be fully discovered but a number of animals have been affected (Photo: RWNR)

So far, more than 50 fish have been found dead, believed to be caused by the oil spill, as well as a moorhen and watershrew. 

Rutland Nature Reserve is home to many rare and protected species, including lots of birds nesting for winter. It is yet to be seen how this oil spill could have a long-term impact on the reserve. 

The wildlife trust issued a "stark warning" to local people online, asking them to regularly check their heating oil tanks for leaks and ensure they are well-maintained to prevent future leaks.