LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- One week after a massive fire at a Jim Beam warehouse, fish in the Kentucky River are paying a heavy price.

The fire caused bourbon to spill into the river from the warehouse, and the effects are lethal for the fish. One image shows dozens of dead fish in the river.

People who live nearby came out to the river to witness the devastation.

"I'd seen pictures, and I just couldn't believe it," said Brent Stucker, who lives in Carrollton. "I was amazed to come out here and see this. We are pretty far away right now, and the smell is pretty intense. It's kind of a fishy smell and maybe a little bit of bourbon."

The alcohol is expected to reach the Ohio River on Monday. The alcohol plume on the Kentucky River is approximately 23 miles long, according to Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet officials.

"We have a boat on the river right now trying to chart exactly where that is," said John Mura, director of communications for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

Dead fish in the Kentucky River days after Jim Beam warehouse fire (July 2019)

Image courtesy: Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet

It should dissipate quickly as it enters the much larger body of water, Mura said.

"We expect little to no effect on aquatic life in the Ohio River," Mura said. "People may see dead fish, but we believe most or all of that will be a residue of what's coming down the Kentucky River. Every day that goes on, the river gets a little better."

Water quality assessments were scheduled for Monday. Louisville Water Officials said there's no public health concern for drinking water. They don't expect to have to make changes to the water treatment process.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials still don't know how many fish have died. They said it will take days to get an estimated count.

Aeration of the Kentucky River continued Monday in an attempt to increase the low dissolved oxygen levels in the water.

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