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A suspected pipe bomb, now believed to be a high voltage fuse that fell off a truck, was reported at Mass DOT’s Division Six headquarters near Boston’s South Station, drawing an emergency response on the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing.
Here’s what we know so far. Stay tuned for updates.
1. Local and State Police Have Detonated a Device/h2>
@MassStatePolice and @bostonpolice have detonated device. Scene clearing, all traffic restrictions lifted.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) April 15, 2014
@MassStatePolice and @bostonpolice have detonated device. Scene clearing, all traffic restrictions lifted.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) April 15, 2014
Massachusetts State Police cautiously detonated the suspected device in order to “error on side of caution.” This is a procedure by which police explode an object suspected of being a bomb rather than investigate closer and put their lives potentially at risk.
Bomb Squad detonated device to error on side of caution. pic.twitter.com/O6N5YR025M
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) April 15, 2014
According to Adam Gaffin of Boston’s Universal Hub, a potential second detonation has been called off.
Bomb squad has called off 2nd detonation #185kneeland
— Adam Gaffin (@universalhub) April 15, 2014
2. The ‘Possible Pipe Bomb’ May Be a High-Voltage Fuse
The Globe reports the state fire marshall called the device a “possible pipe bomb.”
758a POSSIBLE PIPE BOMB Mass DOT Building 185 Kneeland St Boston MA State & Boston Resources Enroute
— Mac (@EasternMassSCAN) April 15, 2014
The authorities and the Boston Globe confirmed that the authorities investigated “possible pipe bomb” spotted outside the building. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services however, later reported possible pipe bomb is actually a high voltage fuse. The fuse, according to the Boston Globe, is believed to have fallen off the back of a utility truck.
Boston Bomb Squad and SP bomb Squad 185 Kneeland St. high voltage fuse not a pipe bomb.
— MA DFS (@DFSPIO) April 15, 2014
3. Emergency Response Teams Are On the Scene
MSP, @bostonpolice bomb squads and @bostonfire responding behind 185 Kneeland St for suspicious device near a pump house. Developing.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) April 15, 2014
Emergency response teams, including Boston’s bomb squad were dispatched to the site.
4. The Suspicious Package Is Outside the Department of Transportation’s Division Six Headquarters
The building is located at 185 Kneeland Street, around half-a-mile from downtown Boston. The building serves as a headquarters for highway maintenance for the state of Massachusetts.
5. The Device Was Reportedly Spotted by a State Trooper
Area is totally closed off now, possible pipe bomb pic.twitter.com/OXTHIDi4Bg
— Freedom Dumlao (@APIguy) April 15, 2014
According to the Boston Globe, a trooper driving through the area saw what he reported as a “suspicious device” near the building. The specifics of where the object was and what it looked like are not clear.