Trapped residents screamed for help from their balconies as flames tore through a senior retirement complex in Quebec last week . Since then , the sound of machines has filled the air as investigators try to thaw the ice-encrusted rubble to search for victims and evidence of what caused the deadly blaze . At least 10 people were killed in the fire , which struck the 52-unit Residence du Havre in L'Isle-Verte , Quebec , early Thursday morning . Police believe 22 others also perished , but they 're still searching the scene to find out for sure . `` This is something we could have never imagined , '' Nicole Belanger , who worked in the residence , told Canadian broadcaster CTV . `` The heart of our village is now gone . '' Mourners in the tiny town of about 1,500 people gathered for a Mass to honor the victims Sunday . Some carried photos of their loved ones . One woman told CTV her in-laws had died in the fire . `` They just moved in two months ago , '' she said . `` We wanted them to be in a safe place for the winter . '' At least 37 of the residents were older than 85 , according to government documents obtained by CBC . Many of them had Alzheimer 's disease and used wheelchairs or walkers , acting Mayor Ginette Caron told CBC . Nelida Pettigrew , 90 , told CBC she left her walker behind , escaping down two flights of stairs to safety after a neighbor pointer her toward the emergency exit . But others did n't make it . `` I saw them . It was horrible , but I 'm OK , '' she said . `` I did n't cry then , but I cried after . '' Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the blaze . A lit cigarette is one of many possibilities authorities are looking into , but police say they have not ruled anything out as they try and determine a cause . Quebec Premier Pauline Marois told reporters Sunday that the situation was an `` unacceptable '' tragedy , according to CBC , but cautioned that people should avoid speculation about what caused the fire and allow the investigation to run its course . Frigid temperatures have made searching the scene a struggle . Authorities are now using machines normally used to de-ice ships in their efforts to thaw the rubble .
Police are searching the scene for victims and evidence . Seven people have been confirmed dead in the fire ; police believe 22 others perished . ` ` The spirit of our village is now gone , '' one woman tells CTV . A year - old woman says she left her children behind and fled .