An emergency order has finally been lifted in Wheatley, more than three years after a gas explosion rocked the town’s downtown core.
During a ceremony at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre on Thursday, municipal staff and politicians gathered to sign an order terminating the emergency in Wheatley.
“It’s been a very emotional time for everybody. We can’t ignore the fact that the community has been resilient, they’ve been passionate,” said Fire Chief Chris Case.
The emergency order was issued on July 19, 2021, following the detection of hydrogen sulphide gas. Just over a month later, on August 26, 2021, a gas explosion destroyed several properties around 15 Erie St. N, resulting in significant evacuations.
The decision to end the emergency order was made following site demolition in Wheatley, a successful investigation, and the plugging of an uncovered well.
While the emergency has been declared over, Case said the municipality plans to monitor the site for another six months to ensure there are no further gas readings before moving forward with any redevelopment.
“I’m hoping we never see this again, but to say this would never happen again would be foolhardy. We have to be vigilant… especially when you look at the complexity of the situation,” he said.
Final reports on the municipality’s investigation into potentially dangerous gas wells in downtown Wheatley are expected later this year.
For more information and updates about the Wheatley gas investigation, click here.