Officials: 1 feared dead in Canada roof collapse

[CarmelEyesD]

http://news.yahoo.com/officials-1-fe...221625601.html

At least one person is feared dead and another trapped inside the rubble of a roof collapse at mall in northern Ontario, authorities said Sunday.

More than 24 hours after the collapse, rescue workers have been unable to reach the victims because the structure is too unstable. But images taken with the camera show a hand and foot in the dusty debris, said Ontario Provincial Police Insp. Percy Jollymore.

[Valleyboy]

One confirmed dead but unknown how many are still missing.

http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local.../?hub=CP24Home

[CarmelEyesD]

They've heard tapping coming from under the rubble and emergency crews are hoping today to be in a position to rescue any possible survivors of the mall roof collapse in Elliot Lake, Ont.

But residents of the small northern city are expressing grave concern for the possible fate of those still unaccounted for in the wake of Saturday's tragic events.

Late Sunday night, provincial police said there were still nine names on the unaccounted list.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/leas...#ixzz1ypqFvO89

[Snoopster]

Bad news....they've now called off the rescue operation.
How can they do this knowing that there are possibly still people alive in there? I can understand the rescuers withdrawing, as the building is completely unstable, but have they truly exhausted all possible ideas? Surely they could poll people for ideas. Why move right toward "recovery"? What purpose could that possibly serve if someone figures out an approach in the next 24 hours?

All around a very sad situation.

[LadyL]

wow - I know it wouldn't help to put more lives at risk but the thought of that person 'tapping' from beneath the rubble and then not being saved is so horrible

[hollye]

The SIL of a friend of a friend is missing in this roof collapse. She is beside herself that they are not planning to search anymore. Would it benefit for one of the urban search and rescues to go there to help out, like Fairfax County?


Hollye

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snoopster]

It sounds like the search effort will continue. There was such a hue and cry from citizens that the political and emotional pressure was just too much!

Rescue efforts will proceed at the scene of an Elliot Lake mall roof collapse.

The move comes at the urging of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"I believe we owe it to the families waiting for word of their loved ones to leave no stone unturned," McGuinty said in a statement.

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/cityne...ts-to-continue

Thank goodness. It just didn't seem right!

[CarrieBean]

Mall's owner initiates legal action to have search resume

ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. - While the rescue operation at the collapsed Algo Centre Mall has been called off, deemed too dangerous to continue due to the building's instability, the mall's owner is initiating legal action to have it resume.

That grim news to halt rescue operations all but dashes any hope that any survivors will be pulled out alive from under the tonnes of concrete rubble that came crashing down Saturday.

But Algo Centre Mall owner Bob Nazarian is exploring legal avenues to resume the rescue efforts.

http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3589550

Elliot Lake journalist captures audio of deadly mall collapse

The sounds of the collapsing roof at the Algo Centre Mall were captured by Kevin McSheffrey, editor of the Elliot Lake Standard.

(Video in article)

http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3589394

I am so sorry for the families who have loved ones who haven't been found yet. It's horrifying knowing there could still be people alive in there.

[CarmelEyesD]

I would be trying to find a way in myself if I heard people tapping.

"The shopping centre, which was built in the early ’80s, underwent a structural study in May and received a passing grade, said a source with Eastwood Mall Inc., which owns the mall."

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06...g-is-unstable/

[Quiche]

Why did it collapse, do they know?

Bless all those waiting to hear about their loved ones.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Quiche

Why did it collapse, do they know?

Bless all those waiting to hear about their loved ones.

It appears to have been poorly engineered in the first place. It has a history of leaks and crumbling roof pieces falling (on to mall patrons at times). The major issues do not appear to have been properly addressed but rather given a bandage. Sadly, there was a degree of inevitability to the collapse.

Sad indeed.

ETA: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbur...scue-work.html

[~n/t~]

Elliot Lake mall rescue efforts set to resume

Officials said crews would resume search and rescue efforts at the partially collapsed mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., after drawing the ire of local residents for calling the rescue off and following an appeal from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

However, it remains uncertain when or how that will happen after emergency officials cautioned at a news conference Monday night that details of the operation remain uncertain.

"We're moving this forward as best we can and as fast as we can," said Elliot Lake fire Chief Paul Officer, adding that rescuers would consider "more extreme measures" including demolishing some areas of the badly damaged building.

But Officer said rescue crews will be unable to reach the spot where breathing was detected underneath the rubble in the Algo Centre Mall.

"The rules of engagement still haven't changed when it comes to allowing rescuers in there," he said. "Any plan we can come up with will have to be executed before we can hopefully get back in."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/...se-rescue.html

[~n/t~]

Elliot Lake mall roof collapse: Crews work frantically to find people trapped beneath rubble

ELLIOT LAKE, ONT.—After a night of waiting, residents of Elliot Lake saw signs of a renewed rescue effort Tuesday morning as crews paved the way for heavy machinery.

Two large cranes are already onsite, one deployed over top of the Algo Centre Mall that suffered a collapse Saturday afternoon, injuring 22 and trapping at least two people.

The equipment being brought in can’t travel on the normal road, so crews are leveling out hills and paving a new road to the mall.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/a...th-rubble?bn=1

[~n/t~]

PM offers help of Canadian forces in Elliot Lake rescue efforts

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...97/?cmpid=rss1

[CarrieBean]

New rescue plan in Elliot Lake involves high 'risk'

A new rescue plan has been formulated in Elliot Lake.

During a news conference this morning, Premier Dalton McGuinty said crews will "dismantle the building from the outside."

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news...ls.asp?c=44109

Well, it looks like the Federal Gov't will get involved and possibly the army. Why this didn't happen on day one, I don't know.

[~n/t~]

Elliot Lake mall search leaves man praying for miracle
'I'm going to be here when they pull her out,' says fiancé

Gary Gendron, whose fiancée is missing in the partial collapse of a mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., is among residents who are anxiously awaiting the restart of search efforts today following an outcry by local residents and an appeal from the premier.

"I'm going to be here when they pull her out," Gendron told CBC's Heather Hiscox early Tuesday morning.

At least one person was killed — although no name has been released — after part of Algo Centre Mall's roof caved in on Saturday afternoon, sending metal and concrete plunging two storeys to the floor.

Despite the tragedy, Gendron has faith that his future wife, Lucie Aylwin, is safe.

"She’s a good-hearted person just like the way I am," Gendron said, adding that he and his fiancée had breakfast together Saturday morning before she set out for her job at a lottery kiosk in the mall.

Rescue workers believed they heard tapping Sunday following the disaster, and Gendron said that signalled to him that Aylwin was trapped inside.


"Every time that we go on holidays or ... if there is a bathroom next to each other, we always do the tap-tap twice," he said. "I know it sounds maybe dumb and stupid, but it is not. It is cute actually. We always did it from Day 1 when we started being together."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/...se-rescue.html

[hollye]

M
Sorry! Baby feet at the keyboard and not sure how to delete.


Hollye

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Herding Cats]

You know, if they called in experts in California, we have some serious experience in searching unsafe, collapsed buildings...usually while the ground shakes during aftershocks.

OTOH, I also understand that the workers need to be safe...no additional lives need be lost.

A tough, tough decision to have to make...and my prayers are with everyone affected by this. Horrible story...just horrible.

Best-
Herding Cats

[hollye]

Originally Posted by ~n/t~

Elliot Lake mall search leaves man praying for miracle
'I'm going to be here when they pull her out,' says fiancé



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/...se-rescue.html

The missing woman is my friend's friend's SIL. Praying that they are able to find her!


Hollye

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[~n/t~]

Originally Posted by hollye

The missing woman is my friend's friend's SIL. Praying that they are able to find her!


Hollye

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Me too

[~n/t~]

What I don't get is there are reports there could be up to 20 victims. How could they not know how many are buried in the rubble by now?

Sad that only after such a disaster such as this, they call a team of experts to analyze what needs to be done.

I always wondered about our country's ability to handle a disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, etc. Do we have any disaster plans in place?

[Valleyboy]

Originally Posted by ~n/t~

What I don't get is there are reports there could be up to 20 victims. How could they not know how many are buried in the rubble by now?:

Could be people that live in the area that live alone and no one has missed them and they had walked to the mall so no cars to determine who is in there.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by ~n/t~

I always wondered about our country's ability to handle a disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, etc. Do we have any disaster plans in place?

Here in Victoria they have this quite laughable thing called an "Earthquake Drill" which has to be one of the silliest things I've ever heard. As a former San Francisco resident, I've long since given up trying to explain how misguided they are in this vicinity when it comes to major incidents.

I volunteer for ESS (Emergency Social Services) so, to answer your question, yes there are some people out there who are prepared to tend to the 99.9% that haven't properly prepared :^)

[LadyL]

Originally Posted by ~n/t~

What I don't get is there are reports there could be up to 20 victims. How could they not know how many are buried in the rubble by now?

Sad that only after such a disaster such as this, they call a team of experts to analyze what needs to be done.

I always wondered about our country's ability to handle a disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, etc. Do we have any disaster plans in place?

as far as rescue operations? LE & fire are trained & obviously the military is trained but drills don't provide the real-life experience that only a disaster can produce

Goderich just had a tornado - did you follow the news on that?

[LadyL]

Originally Posted by Scottie

Here in Victoria they have this quite laughable thing called an "Earthquake Drill" which has to be one of the silliest things I've ever heard. As a former San Francisco resident, I've long since given up trying to explain how misguided they are in this vicinity when it comes to major incidents.

I volunteer for ESS (Emergency Social Services) so, to answer your question, yes there are some people out there who are prepared to tend to the 99.9% that haven't properly prepared :^)

you're in the profession so you're obviously going to be more aware, alert, and prepared than the general population

it's all relative IMO & FWIW, I've taken many FA courses over the years (as required by my job) and I haven't retained much - when something happens, I really struggle to remember what I'm supposed to do

my point is that it's the practical experience that teaches so while we can follow a 'manual' in a disaster situation, we're only going to be as prepared as the experiences we've had and that's where calling on experts comes in

I would think that San Fran has much more 'practical' experience with earthquakes than anywhere in Canada, hence more experts and better preparation