Wheatley wells being analyzed

As the investigation continues into last summer's gas explosion, experts have finished collecting water samples from new monitoring wells in Wheatley.

The wells were recently installed near the second area of potential concern in the downtown evacuation zone and the arena, municipal officials stated.

“Gas and water analysis is now underway, and the results will help the investigation team better understand the geology under Wheatley,” officials said.

“Samples obtained at these monitoring locations will be compared to previous samples taken from the source of the explosion.”

Equipment has started arriving at the site for the re-entry of the second area of potential concern.

Operational plans are being finalized for a tentative start later this week, officials added.

Homeowner access was completed over the weekend but will be paused while investigation work is ongoing.

The first detection of gas at an Erie Street North site in early June prompted the immediate evacuation of homes and businesses in the area.

The following month, three-dozen homes and businesses were evacuated after hydrogen sulphide — a highly poisonous, corrosive and flammable gas — was again detected at the downtown site.

On Aug. 26, toxic gas detectors raised the alarm that afternoon, giving municipal staff and emergency crews enough time to evacuate the area before a blast destroyed two buildings about 90 minutes later. Twenty people suffered minor injuries from the explosion.

Since the August blast, gas has been detected about a half-dozen times in the cordoned-off area.