Bauskas Street blast leaves residents facing debts and homelessness

Residents of a Riga apartment building partially destroyed by a gas explosion are facing different futures, with one still repaying a mortgage and another left without a home, LSM reports. The municipality has not accepted responsibility for the incident, while temporary accommodation for those who lost their homes is nearing its end.

The explosion occurred on January 2 at 15 Bauskas Street, leaving residents without homes. The LTV programme Aizliegtais paņēmiens investigated what happened to the damaged building and its residents.

Adele had only recently bought her apartment in the building. Olga had owned hers for nearly 20 years and is still repaying the loan. Mihails was left homeless after the explosion. Julia had previously complained about a neighbour who lived in the apartment where the explosion occurred.

Riga Municipality has declined to accept responsibility for what happened in the municipal apartment and is awaiting the outcome of the investigation. The programme also noted similarities with the 2020 accident on Melnsila Street, after which residents became involved in legal proceedings.

About eight months after the Bauskas Street incident, building manager Andris Vikse recalled the moments after the explosion. Vikse, who lives with his wife in a first-floor apartment in the building, said he was nearby when his wife called to tell him that the building had exploded.

Residents fled outside in whatever they were wearing, with some in dressing gowns and others in only shirts. They gathered at the corner of Bauskas Street as rescuers, police officers and investigators arrived. A Riga municipal bus was also brought to the scene so residents could warm up and take in what had happened.