Some homes have been evacuated and a state of emergency has been declared due to a gas leak in downtown Wheatley. The situation doesn't involve a natural gas line but rather naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide gas that is coming up from the ground. Crews responded to a report of a gas leak at a restaurant at 16 Erie Street North before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The region has many hydrogen sulfide wells and some deposits that are untapped, officials explained. Dr. David Colby, medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent, said the gas is toxic but exposure is easy to detect at low concentrations.

Source: CBC News June 03, 2021 16:41 UTC