Update from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at 8:57 p.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2021: Emergency officials from Chatham-Kent remain on the scene of an explosion that took place at the corner of Erie Street and Talbot Street in downtown Wheatley at approximately 6 p.m. this evening.
Chatham-Kent fire, EMS and police have responded. Two buildings are heavily damaged.
Homes and businesses in the area have been evacuated. Three persons have been taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Gas monitoring devices placed at the site indicated the presence of gas at approximately 4:30 p.m., setting off alarms and activating a 9-1-1 call.
First responders had evacuated the buildings closest to the alarm and were in the process of evacuating a wider area when the explosion occurred.
The explosion is in the vicinity of the location where hydrogen sulphide gas was first discovered in June of this year, prompting an evacuation order and the declaration of a state of emergency.
In July, the municipality declared a second state of emergency after confirming hydrogen sulfide was once again present in the building on 15 Erie St. North. That state of emergency remained in effect.
A reception centre has been established at the Wheatley Arena for those who have been evacuated.
An update will be issued Friday morning.
Original story: Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say crews are currently responding to an explosion at Talbot Road East and Elm Street in Wheatley.
“For (your) safety please avoid the area” fire officials tweeted at 7:18 p.m.
Chatham-Kent police and EMS are also on scene.
Fire officials say more details are to come.
Police officials say all motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid downtown Wheatley as emergency crews investigate.
Rick Nicholls, MPP in Chatham-Kent-Leamington, said on social media there are multiple injuries, seven ambulances deployed and buildings destroyed.
“Cause not yet determined,” Nicholls said. “I’ve reached out to the Minister of Natural (Resources) and Forestry and forwarded pics just in case the determination is a gas leak.”
We’ll provide more details when they become available.
