Staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources have been called to Leamington to help investigate a poisonous gas leak.
Two homes have been evacuated, and a portion of Robson Road remains closed after the gas leaked from an old well.
No one has been hurt, but emergency officials admit the H2S gas, or hydrogen sulphide, can cause harm.
Robert Impens has owned the property for 23 years, and he tells CTV Windsor his family didn’t even know the old well was there.
It was discovered Saturday. Impens says “I was digging on the side of the house then all of a sudden I hit a pipe of some sort then it started leaking really bad".
Officials have determined the well was likely installed back in the late 1800's and because of its old age, crews have been challenged to seal it.
On Tuesday, the town decided to take the next step and declare a localized emergency.
Fire Chief Chuck Parsons says "it was precautionary that allowed us to get some provincial resources like the hazmat team, ask for some funding from ministry of natural resources for their technical side and get our municipal people on the same page".
A provincial hazmat team is now testing air quality and working with local officials.
Impens says he’s staying positive and hopes to return home soon.
