A big step forward in the investigation into a gas leak in Wheatley blamed for last week’s explosion.
Municipal and provincial officials met on Monday and have formed a technical advisory group to lay the groundwork for the investigation into the source of the hydrogen sulfide leak.
Mayor Darrin Canniff says the municipality has been pressing for support after the first gas leak was detected near the area of Erie and Talbot back in June.
“They have responded big time, as far as the resources they’ve providing we’ve got a number of experts on the ground now. They’re proceeding on with trying to find out what the source of the gas is and fixing it.”
At this point, there is no timetable for residents to return to the evacuation area around the site of the blast.
“There are structural issues regarding a number of buildings, contaminated debris and the leak itself,” Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire says. “It will be some time before we can contemplate allowing people into the area.”
While the investigation continues, Canniff says they also need to start looking ahead to rebuild the downtown core and get Wheatley back on its feet.
“The other big piece is funding, we’ve got to start talking about rebuilding Wheatley and the province is going to be an integral part of that. Let’s get Wheatley back on its feet and get Wheatley back to a reasonable norm again.”
More than 100 households have been affected and received some form of assistance since the blast last Thursday.
The arena remains open as a reception centre to provide food, toiletries, and clothing for those in need. Donations are also being accepted at the Talbot Trail Golf Course.