Downtown Wheatley after June 2024 demolition. (Photo via Municipality of CK)
Chatham

Final phase of critical downtown Wheatley investigation begins

The residents of downtown Wheatley and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent should soon have some answers to the many questions that have been lingering since the massive explosion in the town's core three year's ago.

The municipality reported on Tuesday that the demolition has now concluded in downtown Wheatley and the final phase of work to determine if there are any additional hazardous wells emitting Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) on the site now begins.

The August 2021 explosion was caused by H2S.

The final phase of the investigation started on Tuesday and could continue for several weeks, according to the municipality.

"Contractors and municipal staff have begun mobilizing equipment to the site, headquartered at 17 Elm Street, and into the work zone," said the municipality in a news release. "Mobilization work is anticipated to take several days with the potential to start excavation on the site on September 6th, pending modifications to the work plan."

Significant milestones and pertinent information that needs to be communicated to the public will be posted here along with work schedules and information on how the work is progressing.

"Fire and emergency response crews are connected to the project team and will respond if required according to the emergency response plan. Residents are reminded to call 911 immediately if they smell gas," said the municipality.

The municipality estimates the total cost of the Wheatley Emergency to be between $7 and $12 million in 2024.

The blast injured 20 people.

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