Sections Search Subscribe Sign In Advertisement Breadcrumb Trail Links News Local News Gas pathways continue to be investigated in Wheatley Author of the article: Trevor Terfloth Publishing date: Dec 03, 2021 • 6 hours ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation The site of the explosion in downtown Wheatley that levelled two buildings in late August. Dax Melmer/Postmedia Network ORG XMIT: POS2111171428033640 PHOTO BY DAX MELMER /Windsor Star Article content Armed with some new information, municipal officials are hoping to get to the bottom of the ongoing gas source investigation in Wheatley. Advertisement STORY CONTINUES BELOW Article content As previously reported, three areas of potential environmental concern (APEC) have been identified during the search for the source of the gas suspected of causing the explosion that levelled two buildings in downtown Wheatley in late August. According to a release issued Friday afternoon, APEC 1 is the area near the former Pogue and Wheatley hotel, where the explosion took place. APEC 2 is the reported location of the abandoned Tait natural gas well, which was located in late October using ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic geophysical surveying. APEC 3 is a vent on the northwest corner of the municipal parking lot near Elm Street where an embedded pipe was removed earlier in the search. “Analysis of the gas samples taken from APEC 1 and APEC 2 indicates the gas source closely matches gas from a producing natural gas well in the region,” officials said. To date, hydrogen sulphide has been detected near this first area of concern during gas leak events and was accompanied by flowing water, the release stated. It was also detected in “extremely low concentrations” near the second area of concern immediately following the latest leak on Nov. 21. “The source of (the hydrogen sulphide) may be related to an unidentified gas source (thermogenic) from depth. It is also possible that the (hydrogen sulphide) is biogenic in nature and is generated from stagnant water close to (the) surface mixing with gas that is migrating along a subsurface pathway,” officials said. Advertisement STORY CONTINUES BELOW Article content “The goal for the next phase of the investigation is to confirm if a lateral pathway exists between APEC 1 and 2 and to confirm whether there are any other sources of gas.” The removal of hydro lines and poles is set to take place Monday. Building excavation will follow at 15 and 19 Erie St. N and 9 Talbot Trail W. “The technical consultants are currently actively working with subcontractors, the municipality and the province to develop detailed work plans and health and safety plans to ensure these activities are undertaken safely,” officials added. Gas was first detected at an Erie Street North building in the Chatham-Kent town in early June, prompting the immediate evacuation of homes and businesses in the area. The following month, three-dozen homes and businesses were evacuated after hydrogen sulphide was again detected at the downtown site. In late August, toxic gas detectors raised the alarm that afternoon, giving municipal staff and emergency crews time to evacuate buildings before the blast destroyed the two buildings about 90 minutes later. Twenty people suffered minor injuries from the explosion. In the months since the explosion, gas has been detected at the site of the explosion about a half-dozen times. Since the August blast, Wheatley’s downtown has remained cordoned off by officials, although some limited access to residents and business owners has been granted in recent weeks. Share this article in your social network LATEST NATIONAL STORIES Advertisement NEWS NEAR SIMCOE THIS WEEK IN FLYERS COMMENTS Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. 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