The annual transformation of the old General Foods building located off Hobbie Avenue in Kankakee is unlikely after the Inspectors failed the cite on over 60 counts of compliance with the State Fire Marshal.
Some of the most concerning found in the report include ‘unknown contents’ found in 20-30 gallon drums along with reports of fibrous powder found throughout the facility. Issued by Claude Shultze on September 18th, the report covers three buildings located on the site, but specifically lists the Haunted Factory site, or “Building 1”, for multiple infractions including:
- NO POWER, WATER OR HEAT
- SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE ENERGIZED UNTIL A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN EVALUATES THE BUILDING
- NO FIRE ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLED
- UNSAFE STAIRWELLS
- ROOF AND FLOOR UNSAFE
- 20-30 UNMARKED 44-GALLON DRUMS FOUND WITH UNKNOWN CONTENTS
- TEMPORARY POWER ON SECOND FLOOR NOT NEC COMPLIANT
- NO SUFFICIENT EXITS ANYWHERE WITHIN THE BUILDING
- FIBEROUS POWDER PIPING AND CEILING INSULATION FOUND THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY ALONG PATHS OF THE PREVIOUS HAUNTED HOUSE
“Without the requirements of the special amusement and assemble code followed in it’s entirely it is of my recommendation that the building not be utilized for any further activities,” Shultes says in the report.
The Inspectors Office has agreed to inspect the building again “on or around Nov 1st” according to the report. The Haunted Factory in Kankakee was scheduled to open the weekend of Oct 11th.
Last week, the City of Kankakee reported sprinkler systems and fire alarms were being installed at the location, following the inspector’s visit. The event held annually in Kankakee benefits the nonprofit ACERE, the American Center for Emergency Response and Education.
