NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – A Nashville chef and her boyfriend are being evicted from their apartment after the Christmas bombing.
Jess Lambert said there was significant smoke and water damage caused by the pipes breaking when they were evacuated after the RV explosion.
“Everyone in my building was outside in the atrium, like zombies, I didn’t know what was going on,” Lambert said.
He lives at Lofts 160 above the old spaghetti factory.
“Since the explosion, the glass has broken over me, so I have very small cuts that are all over my body,” Lambert said.
He managed to evacuate safely.
“It was just a fight or a flight,” she said.
Her neighbor and boyfriend, Süleyman Can Kinaç, took videos of the destruction on her mobile phone. He thanks her for not killing innocent people and doesn’t want the bomber to get more attention.
“I don’t want to give any power to the whole situation. It’s horrible, it’s such a tragedy,” Lambert said.
At this time, it is not clear which buildings are OK and which will be condemned, as Metro code employees are not yet able to reach the scene.
“I don’t know if there’s anything salvageable there,” Lambert said.
As a worker in the restaurant industry, the Christmas bombing is another blow to a difficult year due to the closures of COVID-19. She fears her apartment is a total loss.
“I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to go back there, hopefully we’ll know more in the next few days,” Lambert said.
A friend at the Etch restaurant, where Lambert works, created a GoFundMe account for her, as the restaurant community gathers around her at this difficult time.
“I’m very grateful and I feel very loved,” Lambert said.
As he takes steps to rebuild his life, he is confident that Second Avenue will one day be the same as before.
“I love this city, something horrible has happened, and I know Nashville can be rebuilt after that,” Lambert said.
They have started the insurance process, but it is not clear what will be covered. The American Red Cross provides assistance to residents as well as those who declare a hostel nearby. Resettled residents can reach them at 1-800-REDCROSS.