UPDATED: Evacuation In Progress After Gas Event Detected In Downtown Wheatley

Chatham-Kent Fire Image

Last updated: Thursday June 26th, 8:13pm

The Chatham-Kent Emergency Services is investigating an odour in Wheatley. The odour was first detected in the area of the Wheatley Public Library branch at 35 Talbot Road West around 1:30pm.

Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case has confirmed the odour is Hydrogen Sulfide.  That is the same gas that caused the 2021 explosion.

All residents within 100 meters of the site have now been temporarily evacuated from the area while crews are on site. A total of 60 residences have been evacuated. An evacuation centre has been established at the Wheatley Arena, and will be open to affected residents for the duration of the evacuation. No timeframe has yet been established.

On site/on route are crews from:

• Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue Services
• Chatham-Kent Police Services
• Chatham-Kent EMS Services
• Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission
• Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services
• Chatham-Kent Victim Services
• Entegrus
• Enbridge
• Windsor Hazmat
• The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Parks
• The Ministry of Natural Resources
• The Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Geological Scientists from University of Windsor