Wheatley Residents and Business Owners Begin to Access Properties This Week

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is working with residents, business owners and their insurers to coordinate plans to access properties in the evacuation zone. Over 40 calls have been completed to set up appointments for access to properties. Six entries are planned for tomorrow with another six planned for Thursday.

“The first visit includes staff from Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services and Building Development Services, who will enter the property in safety gear to monitor and determine if the property is safe to enter. If the property is deemed safe, the owners will be able to enter,” says General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Thomas Kelly.

Work continues in the area where the explosion occurred. Structural engineers are assessing the damage to adjacent buildings. Work continues on identifying the pathway mapping for the methane and hydrogen sulphide gas.

Three stationary gas monitors are being installed in the area to enhance public safety. Entegrus staff will be on-site to supply electricity to these units.