News

Norfolk County, ON – August 26, 2017 – Norfolk County has activated its Emergency Control Group to respond to a gas leak discovered Friday evening in an area between Silver Hill and Langton, Ontario.

To protect the safety of local residents, North Walsingham Concession 10 will be closed between Forestry Farm Road and East Quarterline Road (see map 1 below) effective immediately to Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Through traffic will NOT be allowed. Local access will be maintained from each end.

The leak of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas poses potential threats to human health. The gas is flammable and at high concentrations can be lethal. Only authorized staff may enter the two adjacent 400-meter exclusion zones (see map 2 below) with appropriate Personal Protection Equipment. The public is strongly advised to stay outside of this zone, including hunters, recreational users, and passers-by.

“We are asking for cooperation from the public to ensure safety,” said Mayor Charlie Luke.

Effective today, a total of six residences on Concession 10 have been or are being evacuated. The Office of the Fire Marshall continues to monitor gas wells in the area.

Mayor Charlie Luke has called a Special Meeting of Norfolk County Council on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at 3:00 pm, to review the situation and provide strategic decision-making with respect to future implications.

Updates will be posted on norfolkcounty.ca under “Media Releases” and on Norfolk County’s Emergency Information Site Facebook page.