WORCESTER - Hours after authorities released a 30-page list of code violations against the property where a veteran firefighter was killed while attempting a rescue early Thursday, the firefighter who survived the sudden collapse of the three-decker’s back wall returned to his home after a day in the hospital.
Brian Carroll had rushed into 49 Arlington St. with Jon Davies, after a tenant had alerted firefighters that another occupant was inside. The collapse occurred within moments of their entry. Davies was crushed and killed by the falling debris, but Carroll, 40, was shielded when he fell into the cellar.
Authorities believe a dozen occupants were in the three-decker, but only 11 are accounted for. State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said investigators know the identity of the missing person, but Coan declined to give a name or age and only described the person as male.
Whether the 12th person was in the house at the time of the fire remains a mystery. Investigators are combing through the high pile of debris in the back yard, focusing on possibly recovering a body, discovering how the fire started, and investigating what led to the collapse.
“It leads me to believe that, unfortunately, the occupant is in the remains of the building or has fled the area for some reason,’’ Coan said.
Fire officials said investigators continued heavy demolition work yesterday, but found no sign of a body. The job of sifting through the debris is expected to continue this weekend.
Most of the violations cited in the 30-page report were poor sanitary conditions, but one in February noted chronic leaking onto the first floor from above.
The first-floor drop ceiling in the rear bedroom showed signs of the leak, and inspectors advised the owner to not only repair or replace the water-damaged ceiling, but also to find the source of the leak. Nothing in the report indicates that was carried out.
Whether any leaks or building code violation played a role in the giveaway is not known at this point in the investigation. Fire officials said the house had no fire code problems.
After repeated failed attempts to get the property owner to make the necessary improvements, the city’s Department of Inspectional Services referred the property, owned by Jean Mui of Newton, to Housing Court. A hearing had been scheduled for Dec. 21.
Mui did not return a call yesterday evening seeking comment.
Davies’s death cast a pall over the city, just as it held a 12-year remembrance of six firefighters who lost their lives attempting a rescue in a burning warehouse in December 1999.
Davies, a 43-year-old father of three sons, was among the first firefighters on scene at that tragic event.
While no cause of the fire has been determined, the activity around the house has the appearance of a major crime scene. Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives climbed atop the debris yesterday. State and local police were also there, and together they scrutinized every piece of wood and other items heaved onto blue tarps by a backhoe.
The Worcester district attorney’s office is leading the investigation.
A wake will be held Wednesday at the Mercadente Funeral Home and Chapel, and the funeral will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Mulberry Street in Worcester.
A longtime resident of the city who visited the memorial to the six firefighters killed in 1999 in front of the Franklin Street station yesterday was moved by the most recent death.
“We are all deeply affected by this, but I know of no braver or more honorable citizen than one who puts their life on the line all the time for people they don’t know,’’ said Millie Reynolds, 69.
Try BostonGlobe.com today and get two weeks FREE. Martin Finucane of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Brian R. Ballou can be reached at bballou@globe.com.