State of Emergency declared in Wheatley over gas leak

By Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY – Emergency crews are still on scene in downtown Wheatley as the gas leak crisis of 2021 moves into its sixth day.

What started with a local resident calling in a strong rotten egg odour last Wednesday, June 2, eventually became a state of emergency for the village.

As many as 27 residents have been displaced as officials work toward a solution.

Emergency roadblocks set up on Erie Street North in Wheatley on Thursday, June 3. Officials are still on scene developing a strategy to deal with a hydrogen sulfide gas leak that bubbled to the surface last Wednesday.

Sun photo

The leak appears to be underneath and directly behind the Pogue Irish Pub, which has taken centre stage in this local drama. Erie Street North is blocked off from Talbot Street to Elm Street and several residences on Elm Street are still cordoned off.

The Pogue closed its doors last month after battling through the pandemic offering takeout and — when allowed — indoor dining.

Officials from the Ministry of the Environment were on site Friday and a special provincial hazmat team was brought in to further investigate.

The gas in question is hydrogen sulfide, which is highly toxic and flammable. It has the smell of rotten eggs and may have reached the surface from a long-forgotten underground well.

Hydro to the area was shut off last Wednesday evening and has yet to be restored as of Tuesday morning.

Businesses affected include the Car Barn Tavern, MJ’s Pizza, Legion Branch 324, the new Wheatley Hotel and the Wheatley Subway location.

BARRY BROADBENT

Car Barn owner Barry Broadbent was on scene Thursday trying to salvage some of the perishables within his tavern.

“It’s just another knock on the forehead after dealing with COVID,” he said.

Broadbent and several volunteers were able to get into the building after firefighters swept the premises and took gas level readings. Once they gave the thumbs up, they were able to empty the freezers and coolers to trucks waiting outside. It is not known if MJ’s and Subway owners were allowed in to their restaurants, as gas levels there were very high.

The frozen goods were taken to Family Tradition Foods who offered freezer space, while Loop Fisheries found room for the non-frozen perishables. It’s been a community effort all around.

Other members of this tight knit community have stepped up to help as well.

Wheatley BIA Co-chair Mike Renwick put his own restaurant — Renny’s Smokehouse — on hold for the day Thursday to help his neighbours. He was among the group helping Broadbent clear out his tavern.

MIKE RENWICK

“We’re here to help each other, “ he said. “It’s what you do in a small town.”

Chair of the Active Citizens of Wheatley, Lauren Anderson, is spearheading a movement to feed the firefighters and officials on scene until the issue is resolved.

She took to Facebook over the weekend, asking for donations that would allow her to purchase meals for those on scene to help lessen the burden on the municipality and on the firefighters themselves.

The vigil at the four corners continues through press time as Chatham-Kent Police, Fire, and other agencies search for a solution.

Firefighters speak with Barry Broadbent, owner of the Car Barn, after checking gas levels inside the restaurant.

Hydrogen sulfide was the culprit in Leamington a couple of years ago as several residents were forced from their homes along Robson Road.

It took several months to get the situation under control and get those people back to their homes. In fact, that situation is still ongoing with one homeowner in Leamington.

“Hydrogen sulfide is flammable and it’s toxic, especially when it’s confined,” said Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case. “So we are using extreme precaution.”

Case said that the gas levels had dropped a bit since the ordeal began, but they’ve been unable to pinpoint the source.

Chatham-Kent Mayor, Darrin Canniff, declared a State-of-Emergency on Wednesday, June 2 and they are asking residents to stay clear of the area.

Firefighters enter the Car Barn in Wheatley on Thursday, June 3, preparing to check toxic gas levels. Fire crews from Wheatley, Tilbury and other Chatham-Kent stations have been rotating shifts in Wheatley since last Wednesday. The levels inside the Car Barn were low enough to allow people in to remove perishables.