Ordinance Determined to be Hollow with No Explosives Inside, No Danger to Community
DRACUT — Chief Peter Bartlett reports that the Dracut Police Department responded this afternoon to a report of a possible military ordinance at a home.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., Dracut Police and Fire responded to a home on Hampson Street after receiving information from a concerned citizen that a possible military ordinance was at the home. The reporting person was unsure whether the ordinance may be live.
Upon arrival, the home was evacuated and Old Meadow Road, Hampson Street and Kansella Street were closed out of an abundance of caution.
Police officers and fire officials on scene quickly notified the State Fire Marshal’s Office and sent photos of the ordinance to troopers assigned to the State Police Bomb Squad. Members of the State Police Bomb Squad responded to further assess the situation.
Following a subsequent investigation, the State Police Bomb Squad determined that the ordinance, a tank projectile, was hollow with no explosives inside and was not a danger to the community. The State Police Bomb Squad took possession of the projectile and will return it to the military.
“I would like to thank the Dracut Fire Department and the State Police Bomb Squad for their assistance in ensuring the ordinance was not a danger to the community and will be returned to the proper military contact,” Chief Bartlett said. “If items like this are found, it is best not to touch them and to call the police and fire departments right away. Assume these items are live until public safety officials can determine they are not.”
Old Meadow Road, Hampson Street and Kansella Street were closed during the investigation. Each of the roads have since reopened. The scene was cleared just before 6 p.m.
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