Fire-gutted Frankford building had code violations

The Frankford building through which a six-alarm fire roared Saturday had been cited for numerous violations through the years, including fire-code issues and one citation for accumulated combustible waste, city records show.

No cause has been determined for the fire, which displaced 21 people who live near the one- and two-story brick building, an L-shaped structure that fronts on both 4619 Griscom St. and 1535 Orthodox St.

Executive Fire Chief Clifford Gilliam said Wednesday that officials were still investigating. He would not say when the investigation would be completed or whether there were any indications of foul play.

Records from the Department of Licenses and Inspections list more than two dozen violations at the building, some dating to 2007.

Upon finding unapproved residences in the building, which housed Joe's Auto Body, L&I issued cease-operations orders in 2007 and 2015, meaning that an imminent danger existed in the building, according to two L&I inspectors who examined agency records. The inspectors asked to not be identified.

The orders were meant to move residents out of the building, but nothing appeared to have been done, the inspectors said.

L&I inspectors returned to the building a few months ago and moved out three or four people who had been living there, one of the inspectors said.

The building's owner is listed as the Samuel Rappaport Family, which could not be reached. The ownership is related to the late Sam Rappaport, who owned dozens of run-down buildings in the city, an L&I spokeswoman said Wednesday night.

Residents displaced by the fire went to stay with family, in hotel rooms, or in Red Cross facilities in University City, according to spokesman Anthony Tornetta.

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Staff writers Chris Palmer and Dylan Purcell contributed to this article.