View the story "Elliot Lake mall collapse, two years later " on StorifyElliot Lake mall collapse, two years later Storified by CBC News Community· Mon, Jun 23 2014 20:48:26 Cbc

Two years ago on this day at around 2:20 p.m a large portion of the roof of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., collapsed killing two people and injuring more than 20 others.

On June 25 rescue efforts were halted over concerns for the safety of the rescuers, despite signs of life in the rubble and the possibility of falling concrete on any would be survivors.

But members of the community signed a volunteer list, saying they would continue to search if no one else would.

Following an appeal from a local MPP, then Premier Dalton McGuinty prompted the rescue workers to continue the search.

Elliot Lake mall collapse: tracking the rescue effortPart of Elliot Lake's Algo Centre Mall roof caved in on June 23, sending metal and concrete plunging two storeys to the floor. Rescue efforts following the disaster were stopped because the safety of the team was in question, but resumed after pleas from residents and politicians.VictimsCbc

The bodies of the two victims trapped in the collapse, Lucie Aylwin and Doloris Perizzolo, were removed from the site four days after the incident.

Lucie Aylwin, 37, was working at a lottery kiosk at the Algo Centre Mall when the roof caved in.

"It's going to be hard to move on," said Aylwin's fiancé, Gary Gendron shortly after her death. "She's going to be in my heart for the rest of my life. I was supposed to be with her for the rest of my life."

CbcElliot Lake mall victim died 'at peace,' fiancé saysAn emotionally charged press conference Thursday at the site of the Algo Centre Mall cave-in at Elliot Lake, Ont., swung from outrage directed toward the shopping centre owner to heartbreak over the victims in the tragedy.

Doloris Perizzolo, 74, described as a "neighbourhood mom" also died in the collapse.

She was buried at Woodlands Cemetery on July 4 and is survived by by three daughters and two grandsons.

CbcElliot Lake mall victim remembered as 'neighbourhood mom'More than a hundred people attended today's funeral for one of the two women who died in the collapse of a mall roof in Elliot Lake, Ont., with mourners saying she was an unfailingly kind soul who helped anyone she could.

History of problems

Soon after the collapse residents said the mall had a history of problems -- including roof leaks and falling tiles -- dating back to 2005.

The mall manager said repairs were conducted on the building but not on the section that collapsed, adding that an engineering and structural study completed in May turned up nothing.

Criminal negligence

In January 2014 Robert Wood, the Elliot Lake mall inspector, was charged with two counts of criminal negligence causing death. Wood had said the mall was structurally sound just two weeks before the roof fell.

Robert Wood, Elliot Lake mall inspector, charged with criminal negligenceA discredited engineer who declared a northern Ontario mall structurally sound just weeks before its roof caved in killing two women was charged Friday in what police described as a "challenging investigation." Ontario Provincial Police said 64-year-old Robert Wood faces two counts of criminal negligence causing death and one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm in connection with the June 2012 collapse in Elliot Lake.

Elliot Lake mall collapse, two years later

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