Hydrogen sulfide no longer being detected in Wheatley as residents remain in limbo

A toxic, flammablegas that sparked astate of emergency in Wheatleyon June 3 hasn't been detected in the area in about10 days, according to a municipal councillor.

"In some ways this is good news, in that there's no immediate threat to the community, but in other ways it's really challenging, particularly for those who are responsible for finding the source of the gas leak," Chatham-Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan toldCBC Radio's Windsor Morning on Wednesday.

It also means that people who live and work in the area where the hydrogen sulfide gas leak was found remain inlimbo as the situation enters the two-week mark.

According to the municipality, 27 people and and unspecified number of businesses were ordered to leave the downtown area. Many of the residents have found their own accommodation,though a handful are receiving support from the municipality, Harrigan said.

"It really does put members in the community in a bit of a state of pause, not really knowing what next looks like and what the plan is for remediation or to move forward," saidHarrigan, the councillor for Ward 1, whichincludes Wheatley.

The food bank in Wheatley had to be relocated as well, and the situation has also put a strain on businesses. Without having a sense of how long the situation will last, businesses are saying it's difficult for them to make plans for the future,Harrigan said.

Thegas leak was detected aftera restaurant owner on Erie Street North called authorities after noticinga rotten-egg-like smell in the basement of his establishmentand something bubbling up froma drain.

The odour was later determined to be hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic,flammable gas that occurs naturally.Officials have speculated the gas may have originated froman abandoned well but crews have not yet been able to locate the source.

Amid those efforts to find the source of the leak, emergency crews have been on the scene around the clock to support public safety.

Harrigansaid she's heard from community members who are frustrated with the flow of information regardingthe leak, since the updates from the municipality have becomeless frequent as the situationhas wornon without change.

She raised the issue at a council meeting on Monday anda municipal officialprovided a status report at thatmeeting.

"There was a commitment to give further information on a more regular basis, which I think is very important," she said.

A spokesperson for the municipality said Tuesday that there was no new information to report but that they anticipate there will be developments in the coming days.