Homes, businesses in Wheatley evacuated after hydrogen sulphide detector goes off

Concerns over a potential gas leak haveonce again prompted the evacuation of homes andbuildings in Wheatley, Ont.

Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services said Monday morning that crews were responding after ahydrogen sulphide detector activated at 15 Erie St. N., where aleak that caused a state of emergencywas reported last month.

"Homes [and]business in those areas are also being evacuated as a precaution. Investigations continue, please avoid the area," the fire service said in a tweet just before 10:30 a.m. ET Monday.

Erie Street is closed between Elm Street and Talbot Street, and Talbot is closed from Erie Street to Little Street.

A hazmat crew from Windsor is heading to the area, the fire service said.

A state of emergency was in effect from June 3to June 26 after a leak of thehighly toxic,flammable gaswas identified in the building, which houses a restaurant.

Officials believedthe gas may have been emanating froman abandoned well, but crews could not identify the source.

Gas hasn't been detected at the site since June 4,and followingconsultation with the provincial government, a decision was made to allow those who were ordered to leave the area to return.

About 27 people and anumber of businesses were affected. Most were able to return by June 20.