Bayham state of emergency still in place

A state of emergency remained in place in Bayham on Thursday, Feb. 20 as the location and condition of a leaking natural gas well northwest of Port Burwell had yet to be determined.

In a media release issued at 11:10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 after the Bayham Control Group met earlier that morning, Bayham Fire Chief Randy White announced that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources had confirmed a contractor was in place and work to find the exact location of the well and assess its condition would begin on Monday, Feb. 24.

He warned the rotten egg odour coming from the well could worsen during the operations until the well is properly plugged

Orchard Line would continue to be closed to all traffic and the site had been made secure with fencing and signage.

Although potentially fatal hydrogen sulphide gas had been detected in the area adjacent to the well, Chief White said there was no immediate danger to the public.

He warned residents to stay away from the cordoned off area near the well.