Ontario Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris stopped by downtown Wheatley on Friday to survey the site of this week's gas leak after 60 homes were evacuated on Thursday.
Harris reassured officials in Chatham-Kent, including Mayor Darrin Canniff, MPP Trevor Jones, Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Case, and TL Watson & Associates, that his government will continue to find, cap, and monitor abandoned gas wells.
Residents told to leave their homes on Thursday were allowed back on Friday morning.
The homes were evacuated after a fire crew found gas and water bubbling up from the ground behind the Wheatley Library. The library remains closed.
Fortunately, the gas event was concluded quickly, and the Wheatley Fish Festival will go ahead as planned.
Residents who haven't signed up for CKAlert already are encouraged to do so by going to www.CKAlert.ca.