Mayor Rick Hamilton said that now that the structure has been partially dismantled, rescuers would make certain no one else was trapped inside, though no survivors are expected to be found.

Neadles called it a miracle that only two people died when the roof collapsed onto an area near the food court and directly over a lottery kiosk.

"I had the opportunity to review the security film, and it is a miracle. There were 26 people in the food court," he said. "There were people that had just left the lottery terminal three seconds before. I know it's very unfortunate what's happened, but it's a very big miracle that it wasn't so much more devastating."

A visibly emotional Neadles said his workers received the community's reaction that they halted the search too early very hard. He said they didn't have the authority or equipment to continue and had to wait until Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty authorized an alternative plan.