9:01AM EST: It is being reported to YW, that at approximately 3:30AM in Lakewood a miracle occurred when an explosion shook an entire block, with no injuries being reported. The incident took place on Joe Parker Road (Glen Pines area) – next door to Yeshiva Ma’ayan Hatorah [Rabbi Rosenblatt’s Yeshiva]. The powerful explosion ripped the roof off the home, and landed across the street. YW was informed that the huge explosion was caused by a gas leak (but this was not confirmed with the Lakewood FD.) Bichasdei Hashem, there was no-one injured, and no damage to the Yeshiva building.

UPDATE 9:51AM EST: According to the Asbury Park Press who has just published the story, the resident of the home – by the name of Anna Nackel – was not home at the time of the explosion. They are also reporting that the Lakewood Fire Marshals have informed them that “the house was leveled and an entire wall of the home was thrown several yards from its foundation”.

A YW Reader Writes: Joe Parker is still closed off. There is a major investigation going on. The house exploded and was leveled to the ground. Pieces of the house were seen all over the streets. There was a big fire after the explosion and burnt up the remaining stuff that was left. The Lakewood FD, Lakewood PD, Ocean County Fire Marshall, Ocean County Sheriffs Dept., Ocean County Sheriffs Criminal Investigation Unit and Detectives are on scene and will be there all day. Utility company’s along with NJ Natural Gas are on scene as well.