By Mark Ribble
Southpoint Sun
After a few worrisome hours, fire and municipal officials in Wheatley were able to breathe a sigh of relief this weekend as a new gas leak detected on Thursday was mitigated and the situation declared all clear.
About 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue crews responded to reports of an odour behind the Wheatley Library branch. It was found that hydrogen sulfide gas was emanating from a small area behind the building.
Once the gas was discovered, an immediate evacuation of the area took place and Windsor Fire Rescue’s Provincial Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Team was called in to assist.
Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were also on scene to support public safety efforts.
As a precaution, the Wheatley Arena was opened as a temporary evacuation centre. Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services coordinated temporary lodging for all residents displaced by the incident.
Entegris was called to shut off power to much of the town of Wheatley until it was deemed safe to reconnect.
A call was put out for Theresa Watson of T.L. Watson and Associates, who flew in to assess the situation.
As early as Friday morning, people were allowed back into their homes, businesses were open and experts gave the all-clear.
West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson was on hand Friday morning for a news conference at the fire station.
“We learned a lot from the previous incident,” she said. “Everyone came together quickly.”
Her comments were echoed by fire chief Chris Case, who said they evacuated out of an abundance of caution and that the gas flowed from the ground for about four hours.
They were able to do some testing Thursday evening and declared that the danger had passed.
Friday’s press conference was attended by Chief Case, Mayor Darrin Canniff, MPP for Chatham-Kent–Leamington Trevor Jones and the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Mike Harris, as well as Watson.
Watson said that they hand-excavated the small area behind the library and found an old water well.
“Nothing beyond that two-foot perimeter indicated any gas outside of that area,” she said.
Watson said it may or may not be related to the previous site where the explosion took place in August of 2021. An investigation has begun into that.
She indicated that a company is coming to properly cap the water well and further mitigate any danger.
