Salem Home Explosion Investigation Results in Body Found

SALEM, NH — Investigators have discovered a body in the basement of a condemned Irving Street home that was the scene of yesterday's explosion, an incident police say is looking less like an accident. Investigators are also reporting that booby traps were laid inside of the home, according to alerts online.

Salem Police, Fire and Rescue teams, and others returned to the scene this morning to continue looking into the cause of the explosion.

"The fire does not look like an accident," Capt. Joel Dolan told reporters Tuesday. Dolan also said the identity of the body is unknown.

Officials are attempting to secure the home, which they feared could potentially be booby-trapped. The structural integrity of the home is also a concern.

Salem Fire Chief Paul Parisi noted on the department’s Facebook account that the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as the Nashua bomb squad was assisting with the investigation.

Police were sent to 20 Irving St. at around 5:15 p.m. on April 3, after neighbors reported there was human activity inside the home. The initial call came from a neighbor who reportedly claimed that a man on the property was stacking firewood on his property, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Arriving officers – including a SWAT team – tried to make contact with the resident to no avail. They reportedly approached the building and heard a hissing noise, smelled gas, and backed away from the home just before exploded, according to police.

Area homes were evacuated as a precaution and neither police nor firefighters were injured.

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire at the scene and it is unknown whether or not anyone perished inside of the building. A fire official stated that ammunition had been stored in the home, according to the Union Leader report. Small gunfire sounds, possibly ammunition igniting, could be heard on video posted on Twitter by the Salem Police Department.

Previously, weapons were seized from the home by police. It was condemned a couple of years ago.

The incident remains under investigation by the Salem Police. Any witnesses to this incident are asked to call 603-893-1911.

Credit: Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography. FrameofMindPhoto.com