Main thoroughfare in downtown Wheatley, Ont., reopens 9 months after explosion
Evacuation zone has been gradually reduced
Nine months after an explosion in Wheatley, Ont., the downtown's main thoroughfare has partially reopened.
Officials in Chatham-Kent announced Tuesday that Talbot Road and Erie South have been reopened. Erie Street North remains closed in the area.
An evacuation zone remains in place and crews are working on a well in a municipal parking lot near Erie and Elm Streets.
The Aug. 26, 2021, explosion caused the collapse of two buildings at the corner of Erie Street North and Talbot Road East, and injured 20 of the town's 2,900 residents. It's believed it was caused by a gas leak.
Nearby residents and businesses have been out of their properties ever since as the blast and surrounding gas wells are investigated.
In recent months, the evacuation zone has been gradually reduced and some residents were able to return to their homes.