Municipal officials are in the process of granting more residents and business owners access to their properties in the Wheatley evacuation zone.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said in an update Monday that 110 appointments have been completed to date. All but three residents who have registered for home visits have been able to make them.
General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Thomas Kelly said businesses and residents with special conditions will be given initial priority on the hour-long visits with the remainder of residents who request second visits to follow.
"At present, visits can only take place during gaps in work on the site," said Kelly. "This week will see the installation of gas vapour probes in the municipal parking lot behind the site of the explosion on Erie Street. Two ground water monitoring wells will also be installed in the area."
Fire and Emergency Service Chief Chris Case said the area around last year's explosion remains a live operational incident and is an ongoing investigation by the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.
"The work to date to vent and control the known sources have gas have resulted in a much safer area," said Case. "The work area is safer for those engaged in the investigation work and we are advised that the potential for a future release to impact beyond the evacuation zone is much reduced.”
Provincial officials have estimated that the investigation and mitigation process could take an additional 14 weeks.
General Manager of Community Human Services April Rietdyk said officials understand the importance of residents gaining access to their properties to gather personal items.
"Residents left their homes with no warning and they have had to make do in new circumstances without even some of the basic items we take for granted in day-to-day living. We want them to have an opportunity to go in and bring out what they can within the limitations of the site."
