Police in Ontario launch criminal investigation into fatal mall roof collapse

By Abbey Westbury
July 03 2012 04:44 PM

CP19296365 — Rescue workers remove their hard hats as firefighters carry a second body out of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, after the mall\'s roof collapsed last Saturday. Provincial police in Ontario announce criminal investigation into the fatal mall roof collapse in Elliot Lake. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

ORILLIA, Ont. – Provincial police in Ontario have launched a criminal investigation into a fatal mall roof collapse in Elliot Lake.

Two women were killed on June 23 when the roof of the Algo Centre Mall caved in and plummeted two floors down into the building.

The Ontario Provincial Police announced today they have started a criminal investigation.

The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ministry of Labour are also conducting investigations.

Doloris Perizzolo, 70, and Lucie Aylwin, 37, were killed in the collapse.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced a public inquiry into the mall collapse Friday following public outcry about why search-and-rescue efforts were called off two days after the collapse, only to be restarted hours later after an appeal from McGuinty.