Salem Man Dead After Setting Off Explosives
SALEM, Mass. (CBS/AP) – A Salem man assembled improvised explosive devices and set them off at his home Saturday morning, hours before police found him dead of what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds, authorities said.
The incident was reported in the area of Meadow Street just before 8 a.m., with a person barricaded inside. The situation continued throughout the morning and early afternoon hours, when police entered the home and secured the house around 1:15 p.m.
Officials say George Sprague, 49, was found dead of an apparent suicide inside. He was alone in the home and no other injuries occurred.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reported that several explosions inside a home on Meadow Street came from some type of improvised explosive device. The windows of the home were reportedly blown out and several explosive devices were allegedly thrown out of the house.
Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said on Twitter that despite "nerve wracking" moments, the situation was handled safely.
"Meadow Street incident now under control. Police have secured the house. Traffic should be restored shortly," Driscoll tweeted at about 1:15 p.m.
Residents said they've never seen anything like this in their neighborhood.
"Honestly I was scared I didn't know what it was," said neighbor Fred Schambugh. "He was just like a hermit kind of guy, never seen him out of the house."
Officials at Salem State University said the incident did not impact the campus, no lockdown is in place and school officials were working closely with police throughout the day.
Canal Street was closed from Laurel Street to Ocean Ave. during the day.
At about 11:45 a.m., two loud explosions came from the house, and several others followed about an hour later. In advance of the blasts, police warned that the explosions were planned and said the public was in no danger.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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