Another gas event in Wheatley

WHEATLEY — As expected, the sulphide gas in Wheatley burped again on Sunday, November 21.

This marks 44 days since the last detection on October 8 and has become an expected occurrence based on the four previous events.

One of those events was of course the explosion of August 26 and officials remain on scene investigating that event some three months later.

Sunday’s event occurred at the centre of the evacuation zone in the same location as the previous leaks.

Residents quickly smelled the gas, which brought back memories of the previous events and had the village buzzing for several hours.

Sunday services at the Wheatley United Church were cancelled due to the odour.

The on-site gas monitors helped experts capture a gas sample and send it away to the lab.

After about eight hours, the gas subsided and levels went back to zero.

“The evacuation zone is now stable,” said a news release from Chatham-Kent. “The scheduling of appointments for homeowner temporary access will proceed as planned.”