Crews in Wheatley are awaiting additional equipment to continue coring the nearest to the site of last year’s gas explosion, say municipal officials.
The intent of this work, which started this past week, is to learn more about the construction and depth of the well. No gas has been detected throughout the process, officials added.
Work has been paused until additional equipment arrives on site. It is expected to be on site Monday.
Once the investigation is complete, the activities will switch over to remediation on APEC (area of potential environmental concern) 1.
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 – a poisonous, corrosive and flammable gas – 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.
A total of 58 properties, residential and commercial, have been affected by the reductions of the evacuation area. Each of those properties was deemed unsafe by building officials and orders prohibiting use or occupancy were issued.
To date, orders on 15 residential and six commercial properties have been rescinded, which allows those property owners to move back into their homes or reopen their businesses.
Of the 34 homeowners who were evacuated after the blast, 10 homeowners have returned home, with another expected shortly.