Some residents were able to return home after a natural gas leak prompted an evacuation in east Chatham, but it is unknown how soon some will have their natural gas back on.
Park Avenue East between Hyslop Street and Park Street was closed Monday afternoon as a precaution. Union Gas crews were seen at the roadway of where the new animal shelter is being built.
Union Gas spokesperson Andrea Stass said the utility was notified about 1:30 p.m. that a valve on a pipeline had been hit.
“It is a fairly large pipeline,” she said, adding natural gas was shut off to the pipeline making it safe for people to return home later in the afternoon.
“Gas service to some customers in the area is going to be temporarily interrupted while we make those repairs,” Stass said.
She said it is estimated 40 customers will be impacted, adding they will be notified by telephone.
Stass said a time frame wasn’t available on when the repairs were expected to be completed and service will be restored.
“We’re working on a repair plan and once we know that, we’ll have a better idea of how long that’s going to take to actually execute.”
Although temperatures are expected to remain well above freezing, residents who feel they cannot shelter in place can call the Chatham-Kent Homeless Response Line at 519-354-6628, according to a media release issued late Monday afternoon by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Residents with ongoing issues or concerns related to this emergency can call Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services during regular business hours at 519-351-8573.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services assistant Chief Chris Case said, “A large quantity of gas was leaking,” when three fire crews along with EMS and Chatham-Kent police arrived on scene.
“We were asked to do an evacuation of a number of homes that were in the area, which we have done.”
Rob Waltron was house-sitting for friends when the knock came on the door around 1:45 p.m. to evacuate.
When leaving the residence located across from the gas leak, he said, “I heard a hissing noise that was quite steady then it got loud.”
Waltron said he also saw what looked like smoke coming from the area.
He and a few others who were evacuated are concerned that they were not given time to take pets that were in the homes.
Dr. David Colby, Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health said in written release: “Natural gas is not toxic, it simply has the potential to displace the oxygen we need to breathe.
“Because natural gas dissipates rapidly outdoors, there is no danger unless leaks happen inside buildings,” he added. “Natural gas is odourless; the rotten egg smell is added to enable detection of leaks. The smell is detectable at levels far, far below dangerous concentrations.”
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