By: Richard L. Smith
A Somerset County neighborhood was jolted late Monday night when a house on Parkview Avenue exploded and went up in flames, leaving the structure completely destroyed. 
Despite the intensity of the blast, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported after search dogs thoroughly swept the site.
According to preliminary information, emergency responders rushed to the 600 block of Parkview Avenue around 11:15 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting a house fire. 
Upon arrival, crews were met with a devastating scene—the home had already exploded, sending debris across neighboring yards and driveways.
By morning, only remnants remained. The front frame of the house had collapsed into the lawn, shattered glass littered the area, and the roof was completely blown off.
Charred wooden beams, scattered insulation, and broken sections of wall stood as stark reminders of the power of the blast.
Authorities confirmed the house was fully engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived.
Miraculously, no one was inside the home at the time of the explosion, and neighboring residents were safely evacuated.
Officials have not confirmed a cause of the explosion, but they have not ruled out weather-related factors.
Torrential storms had passed through the area earlier that evening, possibly contributing to the event. However, the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Law enforcement, fire investigators, and utility crews remain on the scene, working to determine what triggered the explosion and to ensure nearby homes remain safe.
Residents in the area took to Facebook and described the incident as “terrifying,” with one neighbor noting, “It felt like an earthquake. We ran outside and saw smoke and flames shooting out of the house.”
Authorities are asking anyone with surveillance footage from the area or information related to the incident to contact North Plainfield police.