Police Investigating Reported Explosions In Pine Lake Park

Manchester police continue to investigate reports of explosions felt within the township's Pine Lake Park section over the past nearly two months. 

"We know that they're occurring," said Capt. Lisa Parker. The cause, though, is still under investigation by detectives.

Police have received reports of 19 explosions in various locations throughout the residential area which lies between Ridgeway Boulevard and Route 37. Those incidents occurred between Aug. 17 and Oct. 4 on 14 separate days. 

"They're all calling because they heard the same explosion. That's how we know we have 19 incidents on 14 separate days," Parker said. 

Most explosions have been heard by residents at night and officers have never heard an explosion while on patrol, according to the captain.

"It's not happening at the same location every time," Parker said.

"They are extremely loud and cause great concern," said Monmouth Avenue resident Renee Piercy in an email to Manchester Patch. She said that she has heard blasts "numerous times."

Piercy said that in one instance, she was outside when she heard two blasts and then noticed fire in the woods. Police and fire officials responded to the scene and took her statement, she said.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the explosions, Parker said. Detectives are actively following up on leads and Parker said that anyone with information should contact the department at 732-657-2009.

Residents throughout Ocean County have felt the booming effects of exercises at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst range complexes, which are located between McGuire and Dix near Ocean County's border with Burlington County.

But Bill Addison, the base's media relations chief, said that from speaking with police it seems residents in Pine Lake Park are experiencing the effects of something more local. 

Some on social media have speculated that aircraft testing — such as a plane breaking the sound barrier and causing a sonic boom — could be a cause of the sounds. 

But that seems unlikely, as "none of the aircraft that are stationed at the installation have that capability," Addison said.