- The red current in Birmingham was noticed by a passer-by on January 25
- Birmingham City Council is now investigating the unusual phenomenon
An investigation has been launched into the ‘strange occurrence’ why a stream in Birmingham turned bright red.
A citizen spotted the blood-colored stream on Wednesday, January 24, at Perry Common Meadows. Birmingham City Council has since launched an investigation into the unusual phenomenon.
The council’s environmental researchers are also investigating why the stream now looks like scenes you would expect to see at the end of the world.
On
Her social media post sparked a number of online comments. Another councilor, David Barker, said: ‘What on earth is that? It looks like the beginning of a horror movie!’ Other comments included: “When I said last night, go paint the town red, I didn’t mean it literally.”
The blood-colored stream at Perry Common Meadows in Birmingham. A member of the public noticed the strange occurrence on Wednesday, January 24
As of Thursday, January 25, the water has largely returned to normal, while some red remains are still visible further downstream
Councilor Jilly Bermingham, who represents the area, posted about the stream on X. Her social media post sparked a number of comments online
Mrs Bermingham says she went to X to ‘warn people in case they get shocked’
Councilor David Barker, who also sits on Birmingham City Council, said the stream looked like a horror movie
Evan Ritchie is concerned that the flow could be a sign of the end times
Another X user noticed the Biblical connotations of the flow. Evan Ritchie said: ‘West Midlands Police should be looking for Moses.’
Mrs Bermingham said: ‘I’m going to get the environmental officers to come and check it out. At this point I don’t know what it is. I was only told last night. I set it to X mainly to warn people in case they get shocked if they go there.
‘I’m waiting to hear what the cause is, and I hope it will be today or tomorrow. They’re going to take urgent action to clean it up, although they can’t do that until they know what it is.
She said: ‘If it was paint, there would have to be a lot of it to make it that dark. I don’t know if it’s some kind of chemical reaction.’
Interestingly enough, Birmingham was the city where Enoch Powell gave his infamous ‘rivers of blood’ speech.
In the controversial speech, Mr Powell attacked the Labor government’s immigration policies in a 25-minute speech, inciting hatred, ugly generalizations and ethnic stereotypes.
As of Thursday, January 25, the water has largely returned to normal, while some red remains are still visible further downstream.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: ‘We are aware of the discolouration of the stream in Perry Common Meadows.
‘We would like to reassure people that we are working with environmental partners who have investigated the incident. We ask visitors, children and pets not to enter the water until the substance has cleared.
‘If similar events occur, please call the Environment Agency’s Incident Hotline on 0800 807 060.’