Several buildings that remain evacuated in the wake of the downtown Wheatley gas explosion are slated to be torn down in the coming weeks.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said work has begun to prepare the nine buildings along Erie Street North and Talbot Road East for demolition.
Residents should expect to see increased activity in the downtown area as contractors conduct mandatory site meetings on April 29, 30, and May 1.
Demolition is expected to commence no later than June 3 and the municipality said it could last several months.
The buildings, which have been fenced off in the evacuation zone for nearly three years following the August 2021 explosion, include:
- 27 Erie St. N.
- 29/31 Erie St. N.
- 37 Erie St. N.
- 9 Talbot Rd. E.
- 11 Talbot Rd. E.
- 13 Talbot Rd. E.
- 15 Talbot Rd. E.
- 17 Talbot Rd. E.
- 23 Talbot Rd. E.
To move forward with the demolition, Chatham-Kent Council approved spending more than $4 million to purchase several of the properties in downtown Wheatley.
