Gas Explosion in Ryazan Destroys Home, Injures Owner

On Wednesday morning, January 21, residents of the Borki microdistrict in Ryazan woke up to the collapse of a two-story private house on 12th District Street. The explosion, according to the investigation, occurred due to a gas leak, and at that moment, a person was inside — the 38-year-old homeowner.

The editorial staff of YA62.RU has gathered all that is known about the gas explosion in the Borki microdistrict and the victim.

How did it all begin?

Elena Sidorova, her husband, and two children jumped up around five in the morning at the sound of the explosion.

«We woke up from a loud explosion. I opened my eyes, and there was a strong glow outside the window — everything red, but there was no fire. The whole family jumped up, and from the window we saw that the [neighbor»s] house was gone. We went down to see what was happening. I called 112, and the first services arrived in about 15 minutes,« — Elena recalls to a YA62.RU journalist.

According to her, the victim Roman managed to get out of the collapsed aerated concrete house by himself. He was without clothes and shoes — most likely he was sleeping, the neighbors think.

«He was standing naked, barefoot. We started dressing Roma: my husband brought felt boots, we wrapped him in blankets. His arm was hanging badly — it was clear that it was injured,» — added Elena Sidorova.

Another neighbor, Pyotr, said that all residents of Borki heard the morning explosion.

«The whole settlement heard the explosion, everyone jumped up. It»s good that grandma was in the hall. She later said: «I went out and couldn»t understand. Some blocks are lying around. And I didn«t even see that the house was gone.» Her roof is punctured, the shed is wrecked,« — Pyotr said.

No one other than the owner of the collapsed house was injured. But the roofs of neighboring houses, windows, and a shed were damaged by the remaining slabs.

The victim: what is his current condition and what is known about him?

The victim Roman is still in stable but serious condition. He is being monitored by doctors at the Ryazan Regional Clinical Hospital — he was taken there about 45 minutes after the gas explosion, neighbors say.

«He is receiving all necessary medical care,» — the press service of the Ryazan Ministry of Health told YA62.RU during the day.

In the collapsed house, 38-year-old Roman lived alone. He has a son, but he is divorced from his wife. Neighbors describe the man as good, adequate, and hardworking.

«Adequate, a working man. I can»t say anything bad. He usually left home early in the morning — I think he worked somewhere in services, but I don«t remember exactly,» — said Elena Sidorova.

The man bought the plot in Borki a long time ago: the exact year neighbors don«t remember, but they note that he spent six years building the aerated concrete house. Previously, another house stood on the same spot — it burned down many years ago.

Roman cleaned up the plot by himself, demolished the remains of the old house, and built a new one. In the yard, he had a dog named Alpha: the man often took her home and loved her. The pet may have perished under the rubble, neighbors believe.

A neighbor of the victim, Alexei Sidorov, last saw him in this condition:

«Leg covered in blood, severe bruises on the left arm, shoulder… And he complained about his spine. Well, in shock. He can»t move, standing naked, in just underwear, we put felt boots on him, put on a jacket, wrapped him in two blankets,« — recalls Alexei Sidorov.

After about 20 minutes, an ambulance arrived.

What happens next?

Now the Investigative Committee of Ryazan Oblast is conducting an inspection into the house collapse. Based on its results, measures will be taken, but it is too early to say what exactly. The circumstances are still being clarified.

This incident is being handled by the Moscow Interdistrict Investigative Department of Ryazan.