Bomb Squad deactivates IEDs in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Two improvised explosive devices capable of killing a human being were deactivated by Bomb Squad robots Wednesday evening in Swampscott.
Detective Sgt. Tim Cassidy said police received a call at 6:14 p.m. on Wednesday evening reporting suspicious devices at 15 Puritan Road.
According to firefighter Robert Faulkner, a member of the Fire Investigative Unit, the fire department was immediately notified about the possible explosive devices.
?Once the ladder truck was on scene they were directed by (Police) Officer Michael Frayler to a trash bag in front of that address,” he said. “Inside that trash bag there appeared to be two spherical objects about the size of tennis balls wrapped in duct tape with fuses protruding approximately two inches from the ball object.”
Faulkner said all firefighters and houses within 300 feet on the devices were evacuated and the state Fire Marshal’s Office was notified.
?The road was shut down from the Fish House (on Humphrey Street) all the way down to Marshall Street,” he said. “The gas station was also shut down. It took the bomb squad 35 to 40 minutes to respond and when the squad was on scene they set up a safe zone.”
Faulkner said the Bomb Squad sent two robots down the road and behind a stone wall where the device was located.
?The robots picked up the bag and dumped out the contents,” he said. “The robots dumped out the contents and then shot the devices with a high-powered water cannon that is attached to the robot.”
Faulkner said the water cannon pierces the exterior of the device and then blows it apart with water rendering the device safe.
?It doesn’t explode the device,” he said. “It renders it safe with exploding it and it helps preserve evidence.”
Faulkner said both devices were packed with a “large quantity of black powder” that appears to be gunpowder.
?State Troopers Eric Gahagan and Robert McCarthy told me the devices were large enough to kill someone,” Faulkner said. “After the devices were rendered safe, evidence was collected and sent to the state crime lab for further analysis.”
According to police, Annie Hart found the devices Monday afternoon approximately 20 yards from the pier near the Fish House.
?She picked them up, brought them home and placed them in a garbage bag,” Cassidy said. “On Wednesday a friend said she should call the police and she did.”
Cassidy said police searched the beach where the devices were found, but did not turn up any additional devices.
?This is an ongoing investigation,” he said.
Faulkner reminded residents if they spot a suspicious device not to touch it.
?Call the proper authorities immediately,” he said. “These devices could have easily killed someone.”