Lakewood, NJ – The building of Yeshiva Naos Yaakov on Somerset Avenue in Lakewood, NJ, has been evacuated this afternoon after a high level of carbon monoxide was detected.
The building houses two playgroups, and the children were safely escorted from the building at about 12:45 p.m.
Since it is bein hazemanim and the upcoming zeman has not commenced, the talmidim of Na’os Yaakov were not present in the building, where construction-related activity is believed to have have triggered a CO alarm.
Members of Hatzolah of Lakewood, Lakewood EMS, and the Lakewood Fire Department are on scene as CO levels in the building are tested. In addition, every evacuated child – about 130 in total – is being tested for contamination.
The street, between East County Line Road and East Seventh Street, has been closed to thru traffic.
Items from the playgroups, including pack-n-plays, have been taken outside and lined up on the sidewalk.
A special blow-up tent has been set up by Lakewood Township EMS as officials and emergency personnel assist parents and caregivers.
The children were first brought from the building into ambulances amidst the chilly temperatures and rain. They were then transferred to buses before being taken to the inflatable tent, where each child’s name was recorded and testing was administered.
A formal declaration of an MCI (mass casualty incident) has been made.
The building is located south of County Line Road, right next door to Noam Lane, across the street from Village Park. It formerly housed Chavrei Hakollel of Lakewood and is now home to Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal’s Yeshiva Naos Yaakov.
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{Matzav.com Newscenter}
Thank you Meir Lichtenstein, LPD, Hatzolah, Lakewood first aid and all the devoted staff of the childcare who handled this situation extremely professionally and efficiently. Each child was checked medically and accounted for by the teachers. THANK YOU!
This looks like a daycare to me.