The insurance company BALTA has started to pay compensations to the owners of apartments affected by the explosion in a residential building on Bauskas Street in Riga. The total amount of insurance payments will exceed 540,000 euros, writes [tv3.lv](https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/sabiedriba/bauskas-ielas-spradziena-cietusajiem-izmaksas-vairak-neka-pusmiljonu-eiro/). The company decided not to wait for the completion of investigations and the possible restoration of the building. Compensations for all eight insured apartments are calculated based on their market value, so that the owners can quickly purchase new housing. Most clients have already received payments. The remaining ones are still in the process of completing the necessary documents. In addition to the value of the housing, the insurance company compensated for property damage and expenses for renting temporary housing. > "Although technically the house on Bauskas Street can be restored, we decided not to wait for the completion of this process, as it is complex and may take several years. Therefore, we are already paying compensations to the owners of the affected apartments," noted BALTA board member Ingus Savickis. At the same time, the fate of the house itself remains unclear. The senior of the house, Andris Vikse, says that the top priority now is to protect the building from further destruction before winter arrives. > "The most important thing is to complete the conservation work on the building and install a temporary roof. Only after that can a technical examination be conducted, assess the possibility of restoration, and calculate its cost," he emphasized. According to Vikse, the situation is complicated by the low level of insurance. Out of 75 apartments, only 34 were insured, while 41 apartments, as well as the common property of the house, had no insurance coverage. Another problem is the costs of emergency work. The temporary roof will be partially financed from the house's reserve fund and with the help of Ziedot.lv, but the majority of the costs will have to be borne by the apartment owners. According to preliminary estimates, each owner will have to pay an additional 700–800 euros. These amounts are planned to be included in the management bills for the house. > "We are glad that insurance companies are paying compensations for the apartments. This eases the lives of the victims and helps fulfill financial obligations during a time when they also have to pay for temporary housing and costs related to the emergency state of the house," noted Vikse. He also mentioned that he continues to hold weekly online meetings with residents to inform them about the progress of the work and upcoming decisions. > "The house at Bauskas Street 15 is no longer a residential building — it has turned into an investment project with many complexities," acknowledged the senior of the house. The gas explosion in the five-story building on Bauskas Street occurred on January 2. Two people died, and two others were injured. As a result, the fourth and fifth floors, as well as the roof, were partially destroyed. The house was declared emergency and closed for operation, and the investigation into the causes of the tragedy continues. Compensations help the victims start a new life, but the question of the future of the house itself and the expenses of its owners remains open.