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.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the building had 14 code violations in 2007. Building Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey says the owner could be sued or fined for failing to sell the property or make repairs.
Building owner Chuck Dai tells the Chicago Tribune he couldn't afford repairs and tried to keep the building boarded up to keep out squatters.
The Tribune says Dai was emotional during a telephone interview and says he feels "bad about the firemen getting hurt."
The firefighters killed Wednesday were searching the building after putting out the fire. They were concerned that homeless people might be trapped inside.
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