Hopkinton Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a wooded area this past Monday after receiving reports of a suspicious object, which turned out to be a plastic bottle filled with live and spent fireworks. The site is located on private land over a mile away from where the Boston Marathon was organized, and the incident did not appear to be related to the event, according to a press release from Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Fire Chief Gary Daugherty.
After responding to the tip at around 1:57 p.m., Hopkinton Police and Fire, together with the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit, secured the scene. Bomb technicians from the State Police were able to safely and quickly remove the dangerous contents. Despite being first noticed during the weekend, it was only later on Monday that the bottle was reported to authorities. The investigation into the origin of the makeshift explosive device is active and ongoing, as noted by officials. "Any unexploded firework or suspicious object found after a firework display should be considered live and dangerous," said Fire Chief Daugherty in a statement obtained by Hopkinton PD News.
Reminding the community of the hazards associated with fireworks, the chiefs issued warnings about the illegality and potential dangers these items can cause. In Massachusetts, fireworks are not just illegal but recognized as a cause of injury and property damage each year. The authorities stressed the importance of vigilance around such materials and urged the public to contact the police if they possess any information regarding the discovered object.
"Every year in Massachusetts, illegal fireworks cause serious injuries and property damage," Police Chief Bennett told Hopkinton PD News. He urged residents to inform the relevant authorities if they encounter suspicious objects. Fire Chief Daugherty echoed this sentiment, underlining the importance to always treat anything suspicious as potentially dangerous. "If you discover something like this, call 911 and let the experts remove it," he added. Meanwhile, the police reassured the public of their safety in relation to the found device. "At this time, there is no evidence that suggests there was any intention to cause harm to the public," Police Chief Bennett stated.
