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www.dtauto.ca Vol. 12, Issue 31
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Explosion rocks Wheatley, injures 20
By Mark Ribble WHEATLEY — An explosion rocked downtown Wheatley on Thursday, August 26, sending at least seven people to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Dozens of emergency vehicles had converged on the village within a half-hour of the 6:15 pm blast. Ambulances were lined up along Talbot West near the Circle-K as they used that area for triage. About 20 people were treated at the scene, with seven going to hospitals in Leamington, Windsor and Chatham. Earlier Thursday afternoon — about 4:30 pm — gas monitor alarms went off, prompting Chatham-Kent Fire to put up those familiar roadblocks on Erie Street North near the four corners that residents have seen on two previous occasions. Because of the high gas levels, evacuations were carried out immediately, which surely saved many lives. Firefighters were doing gas level checks when the explosion occurred around 6:15 pm, levelling the former Pogue Irish Pub building and doing severe damage to the new Wheatley Hotel, Subway and MJ’s Pizza. Many other businesses and apartment dwellings are also damaged. Houses in the area felt the brunt of the blast as well, with debris landing on homes in the neighbourhood. Windows were shattered all along Erie and Talbot Streets, including the entire front glass portion of Adamson Guardian Drugs. Local residents were shocked and angry as they talked about the two states-of-emergency that were declared in June and July and subsequent evacuation orders. “We’ve all had the feeling that this was inevitable,” said Kimberley Grant of the Wheatley BIA. “People are really upset.” The townsfolk in Wheatley have been pretty vocal about the lack of answers and solutions since the two evacuations earlier this summer. Chatham-Kent officials quickly set up a reception centre at Wheatley Area Arena where residents could check in. As of press time, the reception centre is still operating out of the arena, with an ATM machine set up so residents can access cash. Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire expects the evacuees to be out of their homes and businesses until the threat of another explosion dissipates. “Until the gas is subsided, we expect the area to be closed indefinitely,” he said. Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said they are calling upon the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to step up. “It’s unacceptable for the people of Wheatley to live in fear,” he said. “We’ve called upon the MNRF to find a solution.” SEE EXPLOSION — PAGE 2
Aerial and ground hoses hit the debris with water on Friday morning. The water was still being applied on Monday. SUN photos
This pickup truck was tossed completely across Erie Street and landed in front of the Subway location.
The storefronts opposite 15 Erie St. North were badly damaged in the blast.
Sending to all the families and businesses in
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