Families Supported by The Salvation Army Following Wheatley Gas Explosion

The Salvation Army is looking after residents and emergency services members in the community of Wheatley, following a gas explosion in the town last Thursday.

Captain Stephen Holland of The Salvation Army Chatham-Kent Ministries said many of the affected families are staying at a local hotel or with relatives as no one is being allowed into the area because of the potential for more explosions.

“We have been asked by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to send food over to the hotel where the people displaced are staying,” Holland said. “We are here as an innovative community partner to help those in need. As long as there is a need, we’ll continue to provide assistance to residents who have been impacted by this explosion. We will journey with them during these traumatic times in their lives. And we will continue to provide hope through essential services and programs to our communities’ most vulnerable.”

Three families have stopped by The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Chatham to collect about $100 each in clothing. Another three families staying in a hotel have received food from The Salvation Army Food Bank.

Holland said Community and Family Services Manager Allie Matthews is in regular contact with a manager from the Municipality to ensure residents or emergency services personnel are being properly supported.

There is no timeframe for when residents will be able to safely return to their homes as the source of the gas leak has still not been found. A drop-in centre at Wheatley Arena is available for residents looking for information on food, housing and other emergency services.

The Municipality said they placed 15 households totaling 33 people into local hotels and motels and have assisted more than 100 households since the explosion.