Explosion Rattles Mercer Island Jewish Center

An explosion from a device equipped with a timer outside the Jewish Community Center rattled occupants and police but caused no damage or injuries.

No threats were received before the blast Monday evening, nor did anyone claim responsibility afterward, police officer Jennifer Franklin said Wednesday.

She described the force as “probably a little stronger than an M-80,” an illegal firecracker packing the punch of about one-eighth of a stick of dynamite.

Bits of plastic, a mechanical timer and plywood were blown 150 feet from where the explosive device was left. Two cars 20 feet away were untouched.

Nonetheless, Sgt. Dennis Wheeler said, “Potentially, it could have been very damaging if people had been nearby.”

The explosion occurred in an upper parking lot some distance from the 90,000-square-foot building while parents were picking up preschoolers, older children were at a youth theater rehearsal and still others were working out in the gymnasium. The police station is just down the block in one direction and Herzl Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation in the other.

Activity at the center was uninterrupted, director Gary Pollock said.

“I hope it’s as simple as a prank,” Pollock said.