CHICAGO — The city is seeking an emergency court order to tear down the building where Firefighter Daniel Capuano died Monday.
Capuano plunged two stories down the building's empty elevator shaft and died around 3 a.m. Monday. He was battling a smoky blaze in the warehouse in the warehouse in the 9200 block of South Baltimore Avenue when he fell into the open shaft.
The Department of Buildings responded to the scene and found that "unauthorized work was being performed at the site, including complete removal of the elevator and other structural alterations," department spokeswoman Mimi Simon said in an email.
The floors of the building have "gaping holes," the roof has a "large opening," the elevator shaft has been demolished, leaving a hole from the second floor to the basement, and the electrical system has exposed wiring, among other issues, according to the city.
The city wants the building where fireman Daniel Capuano died to be demolished, citing violations like holes in the floor and roof, exposed wiring and staircases without handrails or guards. [Courtesy Chicago Department of Buildings]
"The interior demolition has created a dangerous and hazardous condition for anyone entering the property," according to the city's report of the building.
"The interior demolition has created a dangerous and hazardous condition for anyone entering the property," according to the city's report of the building.
READ: Friends Remember Chicago Firefighter Daniel Capuano of Mount Greenwood
The city's motion to demolish the building will be discussed at a court hearing on Thursday. That same day, the Fire Department will honor Capuano with a ceremonial walk-through during visitation for him.
The property owner is Anilroshi LLC, and the city will now inspect all buildings owned by the company, Simon said in an email.
Simon said the city has passed its inspection and information to State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, who will decide if criminal action will be taken.
Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said the Building Department will deal with potential violations, but the department has been left "sad and concerned" by the tragedy.
"All we can say is if there had been a barrier in place, the fireman probably would not have fallen in the hole because they're feeling for things like that in the smoke," Langford said. "But there was no barrier.
"He did not have a chance. He just walked into the hole. He had no warning that he was going to be entering a dangerous area, and that is very unfortunate."
Building owners, whether they have permits or not, should "always" have barriers to keep people from falling into holes, Langford said, calling it "common sense" that more people should adopt.
Photos of the building from the city:
An open hole for an elevator shaft in the building where fireman Daniel Capuano died, according to the city. [Courtesy Chicago Department of Buildings]
Holes in the second floor of the building, according to the city. [Courtesy Department of Buildings]
Holes in the second floor of the building, according to the city. [Courtesy Department of Buildings]
The building has staircases without handrails or guards, according to the city. [Courtesy Department of Buildings]
The building has exposed wiring, missing fixtures and an open electrical panel and open junction boxes, according to the city. [Courtesy Department of Buildings]
The building has staircases without handrails or guards, according to the city. [Courtesy Department of Buildings]
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