Detectives conducting the investigation at Lakewood’s affordable housing project say, that the cause of the devastating fire which destroyed 4 homes likely will be associated with work being done on the building.

The fire which was reported HERE on YWN, started at approximately 12:45AM on Monday night, and by the time morning set in, had destroyed 4 homes. The fire had also spread to a nearby wooded area, and a special forest-fire team was brought in.

LPD Detective Isnardi told the Asbury Park Press that additional tests were being performed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, but no suspicious matter was immediately evident.

Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, president of NJHAND which is building the development, said it is difficult to conceive that welding work being done in the afternoon would cause the fire so many hours later.

The entire building, which holds 10 units, likely will be delayed because the gutted portion of the building will have to be demolished and rebuilt. Fortunately the firewall was of high quality and was able to hold the fire to four units, Rabbi Lefkowitz said.