Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

After almost three months of preparation and work, crews have finished the task of tearing down a number of buildings left damaged following the Wheatley gas explosion.

Municipal staff were given council approval to purchase five buildings on Erie Street North back in February, and prepared to have them demolished in the wake of the explosion on August 26, 2021.

In all, nine buildings have now been demolished to help find any other potential gas sources in the area.

Officials say the fence surrounding the properties will be moved back, sidewalk and street access will be opened up in the coming days, and all construction equipment will be removed within the next week.