February 28, 2018, Lebanon, NH: At 1205 hours the Lebanon Police and Fire Departments responded to a vacant residential dwelling on Spring Street for a report of potentially explosive materials found. On arrival personnel were met by a a clean-up contractor, hired by the property owner who was clearing debris from the residence. The contractor advised that they had found several boxes of retail fireworks, black powder and other potentially explosive materials and removed them from the building. Public Safety personnel contacted the New Hampshire State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (NHSP EOD) unit to request assistance with identifying the materials and disposal.
At 1330 hours the NHSP EOD supervisor arrived on scene and upon examination determined that some of the materials were retail fireworks and other appeared to be homemade explosive devices. Due to the uncertainty about the stability of the materials and age, a decision was made to transport the materials to a safe location and render them safe by explosive charge. The materials were transported to the lower area at the Lebanon Landfill and subsequently detonated, resulting in 4 small explosions in the area.
It is important to note that at no time was the public in danger, both at the Spring Street location and at the landfill.