State of Emergency lifted in Wheatley

Chatham-Kent firefighters rotate shifts during state of emergency in Wheatley. (Courtesy: Chatham-Kent Fire)

Wheatley, Ont. — Chatham-Kent’s Mayor, Darrin Canniff, has lifted the State of Emergency in Wheatley following a reported gas leak at on June 2.

The measure was declared following the detection of Hydrogen-Sulfide gas in a downtown building at 15 Erie St. N.

Hydrogen Sulfide is a colourless gas with a rotten egg smell, and is poisonous, corrosive and flammable.

A total of 24 people were displaced. Four families received help from social services and ten businesses were without power.

An evacuation order was lifted on June 19 but the State of Emergency remained in effect until Saturday, June 26.

Crews did not find any measurable amount of the gas since June 5.

Officials are troubled because despite efforts no one has been able to locate its source.