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City Taking Owner Of Warehouse To Court After Firefighter's Death

(CBS) -- The city of Chicago is hauling the owner of the warehouse where a firefighter died into court on Thursday after outlining numerous violations the city says makes the building a hazard to anyone who enters.

Early Monday morning, 42-year-old Daniel Capuano died after he fell down an elevator shaft while fighting a blaze in a warehouse at 92nd and Baltimore.

The Chicago Building Department says unauthorized work was being done at the warehouse, including work on the removal of the elevator. There weren't any barriers around the shaft that Capuano fell.

Baltimore Elevator Shaft
(Credit: Chicago Building Department)

On Tuesday, the Building Department released photos of the building, including the exposed elevator shaft.

In addition, the city noted numerous holes in the floor and the unapproved removal of steel beams and columns that made the building structurally unsound.

The warehouse was owned by Anilroshi LLC, which is principally owned by Jatin Patel. The Building Department is now inspecting all other properties owned by Anilroshi LLC.

The department has sent its report to the Cook County state's attorney to determine if criminal action will be taken against the owner.

To view the Building Department's inspection report, click here.

http://ipiapps/InspectionNav/ImageReport.aspx?InspectionID=1171
(Credit: Chicago Building Department)

CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports for Capuano's colleagues at the fire station where he worked, the job goes on and so does the grieving.

"You walk through these same doors that he would walk through, he was assigned here, but we've all got a job to do, we still do, and it's almost pride," said firefighter Dan McVicker. "It's an honor to do it for him and his family."

McVicker worked with Capuano for 21 years, firefighters together first in Evergreen Park, then, on Chicago ambulances and firetrucks.

"He always wanted to be on the busiest fire companies," McVicker said. "He wanted to be out there doing it, as we say."

But Monday, working on Tower Ladder 34, as Capuano searched for the source of a smoky fire in a South Chicago warehouse, he fell two stories down an elevator shaft to his death.

Chicago's Building Department found the elevator was removed without permits and without a safety inspection, which troubles his closest co-workers.

"If it was something like that, obviously when you start thinking about something that that could have been prevented, sure, it will bother each and every one of us," McVicker said.

Services have been announced for Daniel Capuano. Visitation is set for Thursday afternoon in the chapel at St. Rita High School at 77th and Western. His funeral will follow on Friday morning, also at St. Rita.

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