Residents are being allowed to return to their homes eight days after a fatal house explosion in Mississauga, while police continue their investigation into the cause of the blast.
About 700 homes were evacuated after a house located at 4201 Hickory Dr. was levelled by an explosion around 4:20 p.m. on June 28, leaving as many as 25 neighbouring residences damaged and nine people injured.
The blast site was released back to families from 69 nearby residences, including 32 apartment building units and 37 homes, by Mississauga Fire Chief Tim Beckett Wednesday.
“Building staff will continue to work with homeowners and their insurance companies to assess the damage and ensure the correct steps are in place to repair and rebuild,” a statement issued by the City of Mississauga said Wednesday.
Temporary road closures are in effect for Hickory Drive near Rathburn Road East, but all other roads in the area have been reopened.
Residents can call 311 for information or visit the mobile Community Information Centre at Rathburn Road and Hickory Drive, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
READ MORE: Mississauga house explosion: Residents returning, investigation shifts to mysterious notes
The city said waste collection bag limits will also be waived during the month of July for residents affected by the explosion.
A special information session will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. at St. Basil Elementary School, which the city said will provide information to residents about the current status of the incident and the next steps of the recovery process.
Two bodies were also recovered on Thursday from the rubble, 55-year-old Dianne Page on June 28 and 55-year-old Robert Nadler. Police have said that although the explosion is considered a criminal investigation, the homicide bureau was not yet involved.
READ MORE: Mississauga house explosion: Investigators identify second body pulled from rubble
Paul Camilleri, Page’s nephew, told Global News on Saturday that Nadler had served 10 years in prison in connection with the killing of a friend after a dispute over money in 1982.
“We had a happy family until this all happened,” Camilleri said. “We can’t get back our aunt, none of us personally said our goodbyes … I’m basically going to live my entire life in regret that this happened.”
Peel Regional Police Sgt. Josh Colley said Monday that police and the Ontario Fire Marshal had concluded their on-site portion of the investigation, which now shifts towards mysterious letters found at the scene that he said could provide insight into the cause of the blast.
WATCH: Officials allow first tour of Mississauga neighbourhood where house explosion killed two
Colley said expert analysis of the evidence is required, which could take weeks, so he could not provide a time frame on the investigation.
The cause of the explosion has still not been released and autopsies on both bodies have been completed, but no information on how they died has been made public.
Colley also said he could not confirm Nadler’s criminal background because it is something police will be focusing on as part of their investigation.
An online fundraising campaign has been launched by a family friend to help pay for funeral costs.
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