Municipality of Chatham-Kent officials say emergency officials remain on scene in Wheatley as the result of a gas leak discovered in the downtown area Wednesday afternoon, June 2, 2021.
“The leak of Hydrogen Sulphide forced the evacuation of 27 individuals living in the area and the closure of a number of businesses,” Municipal officials said in a media release issued on Thursday afternoon.
“Electric Service remains off in the area due to the presence of the toxic, explosive gas.”
Chatham-Kent Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire said the Municipality has contacted an expert who is on the way to determine the source of the leak and recommend remediation.
Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case said the gas is consistent with a leak coming from a well, however, that has not been determined.
Chief Case said hazmat officials from Windsor determined yesterday that the gas is of sufficient concentration to require that the area be evacuated.
Fire Chief Chris Case – Erie St. N Gas Leak – Part 1 #WheatleyGasLeak pic.twitter.com/0jst9Tv1G3
— Chatham-Kent Fire (@ckfiredept) June 3, 2021
Fire Chief Chris Case – Erie St. N Gas Leak – Part 2#WheatleyGasLeak pic.twitter.com/aGsv66u5N1
— Chatham-Kent Fire (@ckfiredept) June 3, 2021
Mayor Darrin Canniff declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning, which remains in effect.
The public is being asked to avoid the area, Municipal officials added.
We’ll provide more details when they become available.
