The Associated Press
CHICAGO — A vacant Chicago building had been cited for numerous structural problems and was under a repair order before its roof collapsed, killing two firefighters.
Documents show the building had 14 code violations in 2007.
The city’s legal department is deciding whether to file criminal or civil contempt of court complaints against the owners for failing to comply with a 2009 order to make repairs or sell the building. The firefighters killed Wednesday were searching the building after putting out the fire.
Building owner Chuck Dai says he couldn’t afford repairs. The Chicago Tribune reports he was emotional during an interview, saying he feels “bad about the firemen getting hurt.”
The Associated Press attempted to reach Dai, but there was no answer at a phone number listed to him.