Unstable is the key way to describe the situation in Wheatley following Thursday’s gas explosion in the downtown core.
Municipal officials are still asking everyone to stay away from a large area near Erie and Talbot.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire says they’ve been trying to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry since the first gas leak was detected back in June.
“The Ministry, at our urging, has created a working group to look at this specific issue, but also the wider issue of gas wells across southwestern Ontario, they’ve identified a person to be the project lead for that,” Shropshire says. “They have been in communication with us. I think the frustration we’ve had is wanting them to actually take the lead and control the investigation.”
Over the weekend, the municipality and Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office were working at the scene with technical experts to analyze risk.
Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case says it remains vital for people to stay away from the area because the scene remains unsafe.
“We literally have a rubble pile with a poisonous, toxic, corrosive, and explosive gas coming up through the floor,” Case says. “I need someone to come and provide technical expertise about how we can stabilize the situation before we can go anywhere near that building.”
Meantime the Wheatley Arena will be open once again today offering support to residents who’ve been displaced because of the explosion.
Over $2000 worth of gift cards were donated over the weekend to help those who’ve been evacuated, and an online fundraiser has brought in close to $17,000.
CLICK HERE to support the Wheatley Disaster Relief Fund.
