Box labeled ‘pipe bombs’ found in Newburyport house under construction, police say

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Authorities found what they believe to be several explosive devices in a Newburyport home that was under construction on Thursday afternoon.

Newburyport Police say they received a call for a suspicious device found inside a Purchase Street home around 2:15 p.m. Arriving officers spoke to contractors, who claim a box labeled “pipe bombs” were located behind a wall by construction contractors.

The State Police Bomb Squad was immediately called to the scene and secured the surrounding area.

Police say the 4 pipe bombs found in the box were moved outside to the back porch of the home where troopers performed x-ray diagnostics on the items.

The x-rays were inconclusive, so the items were secured and transported to the local dump for further inspection.

No one is living in the home at this time and police say the property owner was not aware of the presence of the box until contractors found it.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Newburyport police will conduct further investigation.

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