The debris from the site of an explosion in downtown Wheatley is expected to be cleared by the end of this week, while the investigation into the source of a Hydrogen Sulphide gas leak continues.
Chatham-Kent Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire said officials are expecting 90 per cent of the debris to be removed from the site Thursday.
Debris from the site of the explosion last month will be taken to a landfill facility for proper disposal of any hazardous material such as asbestos, according to a news release from the municipality.
"There has been no detection of toxic, flammable gas since the explosion on August 26, 2021," officials said.
Shropshire said a rumour on social media this week claimed that a decision has been made to demolish a number of buildings in the area is false.
"The structural integrity of buildings in the vicinity of the blast has not been determined as of yet," said Shropshire. "Municipal officials will take the appropriate action regarding structures when it is safe to do so."
There was still no timeline for when evacuated residents will be able to return home. The municipality continues to provide accommodation for nine households with 25 residents. The reception centre at the Wheatley Arena has had 194 visits from 95 unique households. The centre is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
"Right now we are still removing the debris, which will make it easier for the ongoing investigation into the source of the gas leak," said Shropshire. "With respect to getting access to the site, we still have not found the source and until we do that, the site is not safe."
Electricity has also been turned off within the evacuation zone in downtown Wheatley. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent says natural gas was discovered near some Enbridge lines during the Labour Day Weekend and even though it didn't pose an immediate danger, the electricity was turned off just to be safe. No more natural gas has been detected since.
Chatham-Kent municipal employees and members of Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services will be contacting various Wheatley residents by phone, email and going door-to-door across the area over the course of the next few days to offer reassurance and answer questions and to assist residents with making an emergency plan and collecting information for the Municipal Evacuation Registry in case further evacuations are necessary.
“Residents are being advised to have in place a family emergency plan and put together an emergency kit,” explained Fire Chief Chris Case. “As we have advised, work is still ongoing to find and manage the source of the gas so we can’t say for sure that further evacuations won’t be necessary. Community safety remains a priority, so please be prepared."
Emergency kits include essential items a family needs to survive outside of their home should they be asked to leave. They include items such as food, water, important personal documents, and medications needed, as well as a plan for pets. Residents who are not at home will have contact information left at their residence. Resources will also be available at the Reception Centre located at the Wheatley arena.
Residents can call 519-351-8573 to speak to a Wheatley Crisis Case Manager. After hours, residents can call 519-354-6628 and they will be assisted with access to an on-call supervisor.
"If you have a question, please ask it and we will get some answers to you as quickly as we can," said Shropshire. "If you have a concern or heard a rumour, send us a question."
Vital services are also being temporarily relocated away from the evacuation zone to allow easier access for residents. A mobile RBC unit has been established in the parking lot of the Wheatley Arena while the downtown RBC branch remains closed. Adamson Guardian Drugs is operating out of the Thomson Guardian Drugs in Leamington at 20 Talbot St. East. Patients and customers can still dial the Wheatley number at 519-825-4111 because the number has been forwarded to the new location. Work continues on returning to a Wheatley location.
Wheatley mail is currently being transferred to the Leamington Post Office until further notice. Residents in the evacuation area who are unable to attend the Leamington Post Office can call Canada Post Customer Service at 1-800-267-1177. Canada Post also intends to make every effort to deliver parcels to customers outside the evacuation area.
For more information about available services in Wheatley, visit the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.
with files from Paul Pedro