The owner of the factory in which veteran Chicago firefighter died Monday morning after falling through an elevator shaft has been identified.
Jatin Patel has been named as the owner of the South Side building. The city said it is now inspecting all properties owned by his Anilroshi LLC company.
Additionally, the city has provided all of the inspection information to the State’s Attorney to determine if criminal prosecution is appropriate in this case.
Pat Cummings, the lawyer for the warehouse's owner, said his client is “distraught” and “cooperating fully” with the investigation. He said he couldn’t comment further because he told fire department investigators he wouldn’t say anything that would interfere with their probe.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Building Department will head to court on Thursday to present an emergency motion to demolish the building.
“The building on the subject property poses an immediate an ongoing threat of irreparable harm to the public health, welfare, safety, and an immediate and continuous threat to the community, neighbors, and the public at large,” the department wrote. “The defendants have violated, and continue to violate, these provisions by allowing the subject property to remain in a dangerous and unsafe condition.”
The department added that the building “would require major reconstruction in order to remedy its dangerous and unsafe condition and is beyond reasonable repair.”
The owners of the building didn't have proper permitting for some construction work at the site, the city officials have said.
Additionally, the removal of the elevator and other structural alterations were underway without authorization, city Building Department spokeswoman Mimi Simon told NBC Chicago.
City officials said they were still confirming the building's ownership.
Dan Capuano was among the firefighters dispatched to a three-story warehouse fire at 9213 S. Baltimore just before 2:30 a.m. after heavy smoked could be seen billowing out of the rear of the building.
While fighting the flames, the 42-year-old married father of three fell through a floor that gave out, and down an elevator shaft to the building’s basement.
Capuano was a 15-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department, according to fire commissioner Jose Santiago. He and his family planned to celebrate the upcoming holiday in Florida.
"As the firefighters went in there they saw some holes throughout the floor," Santiago said. "They gave out an emergency alert, 'Be careful.' It looks like Firefighter Daniel had just walked into the elevator shaft as he was searching, couldn't see and fell."
A mayday call was immediately sent to emergency responders and soon after Capuano was wheeled into an ambulance that arrived at the scene and rushed to Oak Lawn’s Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.
"Chicago has lost one of its bravest in Dan Capuano," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Monday. "He made the ultimate sacrifice so Chicago's residents could be safe. For that, there are no words that can truly express our sorrow for his loss nor our gratitude for his service and sacrifice to the City of Chicago. The thoughts and prayers of a grateful city are with Dan, his family, and his fellow firefighters at this difficult time."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The dates for the visitation and funeral for Capuano have been set. The Capuano Memorial Fund has been established for anyone who would like to make donations to the family.
