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Elliot Lake inquiry continues today

March 5, 2013, Elliot Lake, Ont. – A judicial inquiry under Commissioner Paul Belanger continues its hearings today into last June's fatal collapse of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, Ontario.

Lawyer Doug Elliott began his presentation yesterday by saying many people had an opportunity to prevent the deadly collapse of the northern Ontario mall – but failed to do so.

Elliott says there were several causes for the collapse that killed two women, but it was a tragedy that should never have happened.

The probe will also look at whether the emergency response to the disaster was adequate.

Thirty-seven-year-old Lucie Aylwin and 74-year-old Doloris Perizzolo were killed when part of the roof-top garage caved in at the mall.

As relatives of the victims and a few members of the community looked on, Belanger stressed that the aim of the probe is to find out why roof caved in, not to find blame or legal fault.

The inquiry is expected to hear from as many as 75 witnesses over the next several months.