With the death toll rising to 15 from 13 Tuesday and dozens still missing, there is no hope of finding survivors from the Lac-Megantic crash.
As police announced the recovery of two additional bodies Tuesday afternoon, they said criminal negligence will be considered as a possibility in the ongoing investigation.
Insp. Michel Forget said the death toll from the train derailment now stands at 15, and around 35 are still missing.
He said 200 officers are at the scene conducting the investigation and much of the downtown core remains a crime scene.
Firefighters say all visible flames have now been extinguished but they are still wary of hot spots, and are investigating some of the wreckage with infrared cameras.
A large truck has been parked across one street in Lac-Megantic in order to prevent the public, and the media, from seeing emergency crews combing through the burned-out wreckage as they look for human remains.
The coroner's office is asking families of the dead and missing to provide DNA samples.
More residents can return
Meanwhile on Tuesday morning Mayor Colette Roy-Laroche said that 1200 residents of the Fatima and Cousineau neighbourhoods were now allowed home.
Notices have been put up on every door informing people about what they can expect, which could include the need to clean dust and oil.
Dr. Genevieve Petit said that the air quality in Lac-Megantic is now good, but odours of oil or gas could persist indoors, and residents should air out their home if that was the case.
A boil water advisory is still in place because of a broken pipe but there are no signs that any water is contaminated with either oil or bacteria.
"This morning the factories in the Lac-Megantic industrial park must be closed. First because sewers are not working," said Roy-Laroche.
"We have to perform safety evaluations to ensure that everything is fine."
Benoit Richard of the Surete du Quebec said there are no signs that any looting took place since Saturday morning's evacuation.
"If anyone comes home and finds they have been robbed they can call police. One sole case of theft has been reported, just one person came home and discovered a theft," Richard said.
The 800 people who live north of the river and south of Cousineau St. are still waiting to be allowed to return home and they are consoling each other as they wait.
Frustration is rising in some residents who have been unable to access their homes.
"I'm annoyed," said Denis Couture, who was spotted sitting in the rain hours after he believed he would be able to return home. Police tape still blocks access.
Environmental health
A boil-water advisory is also still in place in the community, though the measure is considered preventative and officials say the Lac-Megantic water supply has not been contaminated with petroleum, oil or bacteria.
Soil quality is also considered to be within safe levels, though residents who see evidence of oil on their property should use soap and water to clean up the remnants, or go online for more information about dealing with oil contamination.
One official said that signs explaining appropriate safety measures residents should take have been posted at all homes in the previously cordoned-off area.
The blast occurred overnight Friday after the parked train's brakes apparently failed in Nantes, Que., about 13 kilometres away, sending the train careening downhill towards Lac-Megantic. It derailed in the town and caught fire, which in turn led to several explosions.
The train was carrying 72 tanker cars full of shale oil en route from North Dakota to Saint John, N.B.
Ross said the TSB has been advocating for stricter rules and regulations for "wagons" or tanker cars used to transport flammable products.
"Doing a lot of listening"
Those permitted to return to their homes are counting their blessings.
"It felt pretty good to be able to sleep at my place," said Jean-Pierre Bedard, who counts himself lucky to be alive.
"I could've been one of those that was living over there [where the crash happened]. I know quite a few people who live downtown who were sleeping that night so some of those people I'll never see again."
The missing and dead include Lise Clusiault's 24-year-old niece, believed to be sleeping in her downtown apartment when the train crashed and caught fire.
"It's a state of shock for sure," said Clusiault. "She was like my daughter, we were so close. For sure the shock is still there."
Volunteers from many organizations find themselves meeting people's material needs as well as offering emotional support.
"We have people that are going out and are just listening so people can vent. There's a lot of frustration and a lot of pain," said Salvation Army volunteer James LaPierre.
"We're doing a lot of listening."
Anglican Archbishop Dennis Drainville is doing his best to help people cope with their pain.
"There are no words that really encompass the profound sorrow and feelings of being alone that these people have. All you can do is be there."
With a report from CTVNews.ca
