Three people suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries following an explosion in downtown Wheatley Thursday evening.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire says emergency crews were at the scene by 4:30pm responding to an alarm near the corner of Erie Street North and Talbot Trail.
“Just after 4:30 we got two calls, one from the building owner and one from the company that had been hired to do the gas monitoring, they both called 911,” Shropshire says. “We were able to get our fire services team dispatched, they were there quickly, they immediately started an evacuation of the block around where the gas was detected, and they were able to clear that entire block on either side of 15 Erie Street North, and as a result of that action, they saved lives.”
Three people were taken to hospital, with injuries ranging from cuts from broken glass and debris to broken bones.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry launched an investigation into the source of hydrogen sulphide at the site following two previous gas leaks in June and July.
The Wheatley Arena has been set up as an emergency reception area for those who need it. Displaced residents who can’t find another place to stay will be put up in hotels.
Shropshire says the area will remain cordoned off for some time yet. Municipal staff are reaching out to businesses around the area to see what supports are needed.