Downtown Wheatley, Ont., demolition finished nearly 3 years after explosion

Nearly three years since a massive gas explosion in rural Wheatley, Ont., the downtown area has finally been demolished.

A total of nine buildings have been taken down, according to the municipality.

The fence surrounding the properties will be moved back and sidewalk access and street parking will be restored in the "coming days," according to a statement.

Construction equipment will be off the site as of next week.

The stretch of Erie Street North and Talbot Road East was rocked by the Aug. 26, 2021, blast injuring 20 people, destroying two buildings and damaging several others.

The explosion started from gas leaking from abandoned wells.

Last summer, the province announced $11 million more in provincial funding in the aftermath of the blast.

WATCH | Aug. 2021 explosion rocks downtown Wheatley, Ont.:

Video of Wheatley explosion

3 years ago

Duration 0:44