OPP sparks criminal investigation into collapse at Elliot Lake mall

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ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – Ontario Provincial Police investigators have taken over the investigation into the partial-roof collapse at the Algo Mall in Elliot Lake.

The investigation will proceed as a criminal case, while the owner of the shopping centre has promised it will be rebuilt.

The lawyer for the mall’s owner said management and staff have been deeply touched by the tragedy.

“They have no intention of leaving this community, the process of healing and reconstruction begins today,” he said.

The lawyer’s remarks did not stop several angry residents from giving him an earful, upset that the collapsed roof could have gotten to such a critical point.

Speaking to reporters through tears, the fiance of one of the victims had high praise for the rescuers, but also some doubts.

“I think there could have been something done to help these people, I think they could have been saved,” he said.

Earlier Thursday Premier Dalton McGuinty wrapped up his visit to Elliot Lake with assurances that the community will get answers.

The premier publicly promised a review of the mall’s history, in the wake of a deadly partial-roof collapse that claimed the lives of two women.

McGuinty added that the results of what he calls an “intensive review” will be made public.

This comes after it became known that the Ministry of Labour had visited the mall site six times in the last three years alone.

An official with the Ministry of Labour suggested, however, that only the results and info from the documents will be released as opposed to the documents themselves.

NDP MPP Michael Mantha, whose riding includes Elliot Lake, is pushing for an independent public inquiry, however.

McGuinty also took part in some damage control, saying there was some unfortunate miscommunication behind the feeling that the search and rescue team had abandoned the effort.

“That was never in fact the case, they wanted to do what I began to urge them to do, we were both on the same track all the time,” McGuinty said.

Residents of the Northern Ontario town were initially shocked when it was reported that engineers had called a pause to the rescue efforts, saying it was too dangerous for rescuers to continue.

Soon after the effort was resumed with heavy equipment and extreme caution.

“This town, these people, the search and rescue team, they never quit, I think it’s important for us all to understand that,” McGuinty said.

McGuinty also offered financial support for Elliot Lake. Many of the community’s public services were based in the Algo Mall where the collapse occurred.

The owner of the shopping centre is expected to issue a further statement.

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