Several articles have stated that the location was cited numerous times for violations, but that no follow up action was taken. And yes, I've taken that at face value and have no concrete evidence YET that the city ignored the follow up... other than the fact that 30+ people are dead.
Do you have any evidence that the city took the appropriate steps to prevent the venue from continued operation, other than issuing citations? At the moment the preponderance of information suggests not, but that could change.
Straw man. I do not need to provide evidence that the city took appropriate steps because I am not making accusations one way or the other.
I am a supporter of private property rights and due process. Property owners (and tenants) have rights - one of those being the right to due process. If violations were present and enforcement was not being adequately pursued, then I am sure it will come out in the investigation and I certainly hope any/all guilty parties will be punished.
However, if investigations were underway (which is pretty much what published articles have mentioned thus far) but were not yet complete, then it is incorrect to accuse city officials of not properly enforcing their codes.
I amazes me how quickly some conservatives will switch from protectors of property rights and due process to proponents of the nanny-state when it comes to people who think or act differently from them.
Finally, it appears that an illegal, unpermitted, "rave" was being held in the building at the time of the fire. Such events are virtually impossible to prevent, regardless of how strictly or leniently building codes are being enforced. It appears to me that the organizer(s) of the illegal, unpermitted, "rave" are the most culpable party in this tragedy.