By SÍLE MOLONEY

CON EDISON PERSONNEL are seen outside 18 East 198th Street in Bedford Park, The Bronx where the building was  evacuated after a suspected gas leak / explosion was reported in the basement boiler room on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

A 73-year-old woman who lives at 18 East 198th Street in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx said she remains without any heat or hot water in her apartment as the super awaits a part for the boiler system. The woman, Candida Sierra, said she is not alone and that several other residents are also affected.

 

As reported, the building was evacuated on Tuesday, March 31, amid a suspect gas explosion / leak, which the property manager and Con Ed later said was unfounded. The property manager said there is an issue with the boiler that requires fixing but he could not provide an estimated timeframe for resolution.

AN EMERGENCY CON Edison vehicle is seen at 18 East 198th Street in Bedford Park after residents were evacuated when a suspected gas leak / explosion was reported in the basement boiler room on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Photo by Síle Moloney

Sierra contacted Norwood News on Friday to say that she still awaits resolution of the issue, and that the super allegedly told her he is still waiting on a part for the boiler in order to resolve the issue. She lives on the “last floor” of the building, a 6-story, multiple dwelling (50×100) located between Jerome Avenue and Creston Avenue. “My hands are hurting from washing dishes in cold water,” she said.

 

THE SCENE AT 18 East 198th Street, Bedford Park, The Bronx, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, after a report of a suspected gas leak / explosion. Video by Síle Moloney

Norwood News reached out to the Red Cross to ask if residents could be rehoused while the repairs are ongoing and a spokesperson said that typically, they need to be referred by a government agency like NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) or the FDNY if it’s after a fire.

 

RESIDENTS OF 18 EAST 198th Street in Bedford Park were evacuated from their building on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, after a suspected gas explosion / leak occurred.
Photo by Síle Moloney

We have since reached out to DOB, HPD, and the Mayor’s office to see if anything can be done and will share any updates we receive.  There were no injuries reported following the suspected gas leak at the building on Tuesday, according to the FDNY. Read our previous story here.

 

We’ll share any further updates we receive.