NEWBURYPORT — Purchase Street became flooded with first responders after receiving word that suspicious devices were found inside a home around 2 p.m. Thursday. Within 90 minutes, what were believed to be four pipe bombs were removed from the house.
Newburyport fire and police were the first to arrive on the scene, followed shortly by state police troopers and members of its bomb squad.
The street was blocked off at both ends, with responders spread out into two groups.
As officials went over the scene, concerned neighbors accumulated outside to see what was going on. Newburyport Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III was overheard telling one bystander that they were attempting to remove four reported pipe bombs.
“They’re gonna throw an X-ray on it,” Bradbury said.
The pipe bombs were found inside a box by contractors working at the unoccupied house, according to Newburyport police Chief Mark Maurray, adding that the property owner was not aware of the box’s existence.
The mood grew less tense as responders were able to remove the objects safely, with officials beginning to pack up and leave around 3:20 p.m.
As a precaution, the devices were brought to a secluded area off Colby Farm Road to be destroyed, according to Bradbury.