Item initially believed to be pipe bomb detonated outside Reading home

READING, Mass. — An item initially believed to be a pipe bomb was detonated after a Reading resident called police Wednesday evening.

The resident of Rachel Road called police around 6:15 p.m. after finding an item described by police as a 6-8 inch cylinder with wires sticking out near the home.

The State Police bomb squad was called in, and according to Reading police they were unable to determine that the item was not a bomb, so the decision was made to detonate it.

The item was buried in a small hole in the backyard of the home and covered with sand bags. Just before 9:45 p.m. the item was detonated.

Reading emergency leaders said the investigation into what the item was and how it ended up outside the home is underway, but may take several days.

Police had evacuated neighbors for several hours, but around 10:30 p.m. they were allowed to return to their homes. There is no reason for anyone to be concerned, a fire officials said.

Cox Media Group