Norwell teen accused of building, detonating explosive device

NORWELL, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 15-year-old from Norwell was arrested Saturday after police say they found homemade explosive devices inside his family's shed.

Police and fire officials responded to a home on Grove Street on reports of an explosion at about 2:45 p.m. Saturday. They determined a handmade explosive was detonated behind the home.

"We were just sitting in our house here, minding our own business watching TV when we heard an explosion. At first we thought the propane tanks exploded next to the house," said neighbor Dan Durgin.

During their investigation, police found more devices inside a shed in the back yard.

The Mass. State Police Bomb Squad was called to the scene to dismantle the explosives. One of the devices was transported to another location for a controlled detonation.

Investigators allege the 15-year-old boy, whose parents were not home at the time, was involved in building devices and detonating one.

"I'm very concerned about this. This is not a situation, in my opinion, where we just have somebody playing with fireworks. This kind of explosion is dangerous and from my understanding could have done serious damage or killed another human being," said Fire Chief Andrew Reardon.

"I think it's kind of crazy that a kid is making a bomb so close to us," said neighbor Amaya Blige. "You never know, he could have set that off in our backyard."

The unidentified teen was charged with 12 counts of unlawful possession of an explosive device, possessing components to create an explosive device, and one count for detonation of explosive device.

Cox Media Group