Main thoroughfare in downtown Wheatley, Ont., reopens 9 months after explosion

Nine months after anexplosion in Wheatley, Ont., the downtown's main thoroughfare has partially reopened.

Officials in Chatham-Kent announced Tuesday thatTalbot Road and Erie South have been reopened. Erie Street North remains closed in the area.

An evacuation zone remains in place andcrews are working on a wellin a municipal parking lot nearErie and Elm Streets.

The Aug. 26, 2021, explosioncaused the collapse of two buildingsat the corner of Erie Street North and Talbot Road East, andinjured 20 of the town's 2,900 residents. It's believed it wascaused 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.