With the gas leak investigation continuing, the cleanup and restoration of utilities to Wheatley properties in the former evacuation zone remains ongoing, say municipal officials.
While the investigation into the gas leak that triggered a massive August explosion continues, the cleanup and restoration of utilities to the properties now removed from the down Wheatley evacuation zone are ongoing, municipal officials say.
As of Tuesday morning, a total of 14 customers had their electricity restored while 10 had their water turned on. Three dumpsters were also placed outside the evacuation zone for residents to help with the cleanup.
Residents in this area of the town are not currently being billed for water usage. Portable washroom facilities have also been made available for people who are working on their properties but haven’t had their water restored.
The evacuation zone was reduced in area earlier this month.
There was a low-level release of gas in the existing evacuation zone Friday morning and a second release Friday night that lasted until Saturday morning. In both cases, the gas was safely vented.
Ryan Brown, the municipality’s director of public works, said officials are examining data from the two incidents.
The last release of gas at the explosion site happened last November.
Brown said the incidents demonstrated the effectiveness of safety procedures, but added they also served as a reminder the situation isn’t yet resolved.
Chatham-Kent fire Chief Chris Case said additional resources and air monitoring were provided around the perimeter of the evacuation zone to ensure public safety.
“There are valid reasons why we have been onsite non-stop since gas was detected last June,” he said. “Although there was no threat to public safety on the weekend, we cannot let our guard down. We will remain in place until such time as the situation is resolved.”
Gas was first identified at the Erie Street North site in June of last year, which prompted the immediate evacuation of homes and businesses in the area.
The following month, three-dozen homes and businesses were evacuated after hydrogen sulphide was again detected at the downtown site.
On Aug. 26, toxic gas detectors raised the alarm that afternoon, providing municipal staff and emergency crews enough time to clear the area before a blast destroyed two buildings about 90 minutes later. Twenty people suffered minor injuries from the explosion.