Deteriorating Dynamite Found Inside Portsmouth Home: Police

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The hazmat on Austin Street in Portsmouth Tuesday was deteriorating dynamite inside of a home, according to police. Officers, firefighters, and the New Hampshire State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit were called to the home by caretakers who discovered the materials. At 11:30 a.m., Austin Street, from Middle to Cabot streets, was closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as a precaution.

Police also sent out a code red notification to all homes in the immediate area.

Just before 1 p.m., the situation was deemed under control and the street reopened.

"The materials had been inside the residence for decades making removal of the deteriorated material hazardous," said Capt. Mike Maloney of the Portsmouth Police Department. "Out of an abundance of caution, nearby residences were evacuated and roads were closed. The New Hampshire State Police EOD unit were able to safely remove the material and bring it to a remote location where it was safely destroyed."

Maloney said there was "no active criminal investigation" and based on the age of the material, "it appears as though the previous homeowner had procured it prior to current licensing and regulatory requirements." It is believed the homeowner used the material for excavation of their property, he said.

Elizabeth Dinan, a long-time reporter with the Portsmouth Herald, noted on Twitter that the home was previously owned by Peter and Nancy Beck and he was known to use dynamite there.

Police thanked residents who were displaced for their cooperation and all those affected. The incident, Maloney added, was handled safely and with minimal disruption to the community, due to cross agency collaboration between Portsmouth Fire Department, Portsmouth Police Department, New Hampshire State Police, Portsmouth DPW and Portsmouth Public Housing.

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