Silence swept through Lac-Mégantic, Que., Monday as the community paused to mark two years since its deadly rail disaster.

The bells of the St. Agnes Church rang out 47 times in honour of the victims who died when a runaway train carrying volatile crude oil derailed and exploded in the town of 6,000 early on July 6, 2013. The blast destroyed much of Lac-Mégantic's downtown core, and forced thousands from their homes.

"We felt it was important to provide citizens, if they desire, the opportunity to pause together to remember that tragic night in July of 2013," said Mayor Colette Roy Laroche in a statement.

The community supported a quiet remembrance for those who lost their lives, in contrast to last year's event that brought dignitaries and first responders from across North America to the town.

Resident Daniel Poulin told CTV News Channel that despite the passage of two years, Monday's anniversary was still "really hard."

"Today is a day for mourning, we are just remembering what happened two years ago," said Poulin.

Canadian political party leaders Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau reached out to the town through Twitter on Monday in recognition of the anniversary.

Progress is slowly being made after the disaster: Families who lost their loved ones agreed to a $430-million settlement fund last month from 25 companies. Ground zero of the explosion has also been torn down as crews continue to decontaminate the area.

However, Poulin said many residents are growing concerned that past mistakes could be repeated with crude oil set to be shipped via rail through Lac-Megantic once again at the beginning of next year

"There are people in Lac-Megantic who still fear trains. And when they told us that crude oil would come through downtown in January, maybe February, the only thing I can tell you is that we don't want this dirty oil from Alberta and North Dakota," Poulin said.

Poulin said he still recalls horrifying details of the days following the disaster.

"We lived through that terrible night, those three days just looking at the thick, black smoke and hearing the hiss of the gas pouring out, well just talking about it … is hard for me."

Poulin added he is particularly worried that Bakken crude oil, which was carried by the trains during the catastrophe, will pass through the community again.

"Real crude oil you just put a match and nothing will happen – I don't have a problem with that – but the same kind of crude oil that came here (Bakken) and burst into flames, we fear that it will come back."

U.S. government tests have shown that Bakken crude is more volatile than most crude oil.