Press Release  Lexington Fire, DFS Hazmat, and State Police Bomb Squad Resolve Hazardous Materials Incident

LEXINGTON — The Lexington Fire Department, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and State Police Bomb Squad successfully undertook a day-long operation to clear a home of explosive chemicals and radioactive substances yesterday, said Lexington Fire Chief Derek Sencabaugh and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

“We found numerous substances within the home that posed a fire or explosive hazard,” said Chief Sencabaugh. “These materials could not be left in place and had to be carefully and methodically removed for safe disposal. Our priority at every step was the safety of community residents and our first responders.”

The Lexington Fire Department was called to 23 Longfellow Road early yesterday afternoon after a large quantity of unknown chemicals were discovered during a clean-out. Firefighters assessed the scene and identified picric acid, a highly explosive chemical, among dozens of bottles of liquids, powders, and solids. Many were old, degraded, and unstable, and others were radioactive. There was no indication of criminal activity: the home was unoccupied after the resident, a chemist, passed away.

“We see this fact pattern a few times a year,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “It often involves family members who find military ordnance after a veteran passes away. This was a much more complex scenario. It required patience, precision, and a high degree of technical skill.”

The Department of Fire Services’ Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division was requested to assist at the scene. Based on the energetic and reactive nature of some materials at the scene, the State Police Bomb Squad, an FBI special agent bomb technician, and the DFS Joint Hazard Incident Response Team also responded, as did the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. A DFS Rehab unit was deployed to support first responders’ health and safety during the seven-hour mission.

With the assistance of Lexington Police, the Lexington Fire Department secured the area around the home, staging EMS crews in an abundance of caution as an engine company stood ready with charged hoselines as the specialized teams made entry. Hazmat and bomb technicians conducted a systematic examination of the home, separating the materials by the type of hazard they posed.

Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, State Police bomb technicians carefully transferred the explosive and unidentified substances from the home to a Lexington Department of Public Works truck filled with sand. These substances were transported to a remote location, where they were destroyed without incident. A licensed radiological contractor took custody of the radioactive substances for safe disposal, and a private clean-up company took custody of the remaining materials. Teams cleared the area by about 8:00 pm.

“Massachusetts has put decades of planning, training, and funding into our response capabilities for events like this,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “I want to recognize the professionalism of our partners in Lexington throughout this mission, and I want to thank the Hazmat and bomb technicians whose interagency and interdisciplinary teamwork made it a success.”

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