ORILLIA, Ont. – New information has led the Ontario provincial police to deem their probe of a fatal mall roof collapse in Elliot Lake a criminal investigation.

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 provincial police force was assisting the Ontario Chief Coroner’s office in its investigation into the deaths of Doloris Perizzolo, 74, and Lucie Aylwin, 37.

OPP Sgt. Pierre Chamberland said that as a result of information obtained, police are now also looking into the collapse as a criminal investigation.

“During the collection of the information the investigators took stock of what they had and they basically just made the decision that, based on the information that they had garnered to date, that it was probably of the prudent thing to commence a paralleled criminal investigation,” he said.

Sgt. Chamberland said police will not release just what the new information they have because the investigation is still in its preliminary stage.

“The investigation is still relatively new in relation to the event and we just want to make sure that we conduct a thorough investigation and follow the information where ever it leads us,” he explained.

Sgt. Chamberland is asking the people of Elliot Lake to come forward with any information they may have.

“We’re looking for anything and everything that has to do with the causes and or the results of the mall collapse,” said Sgt. Chamberland.

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 accident, only to be restarted hours later after an appeal from McGuinty.

Residents have since complained that the mall was in shabby condition before the cave-in and have questioned the speed at which rescuers tried to reach those trapped in the rubble.

The Ministry of Labour is also conducting an investigation, but has said its probe will not look into the cause of the collapse.

The ministry paid six visits to the mall over the last three years, the latest one being in January when it received a complaint about a leak in the rooftop parking garage.

The inspector went to the site and found it covered in snow, making it difficult to determine the origin of any leaks, a spokesman for Ontario Labour Minister Linda Jeffrey has said. The inspector found no health and safety violations and no orders were issued.

Perizzolo is set to be buried Wednesday at Woodlands Cemetery, located steps away from the waters of Elliot Lake in the western part of the city.

Meanwhile, relief funds have been set up to help the families of victims and workers at the collapsed Algo Centre Mall. Details here.