Police probe explosions near Marshfield church

MARSHFIELD, Mass. -- Police in Marshfield are investigating two explosions in front of a church they think were caused by homemade bombs.

Around 7:30 p.m. Friday the devices exploded in front of the Trinity Episcopal Church. There was an Alcoholic’s Anonymous meeting going on in the basement of the church at the time of the explosions.

Police said it was a good thing that no one was nearby because even if it was a prank someone could have been seriously hurt. The explosions left “basketball” sized craters, according to police.

“We were down the street about a quarter of a mile and we saw a bright white light like what you would see when an electric wire comes down - that hot, white light,” said Rev. Barbara Peterson.

The sight rattled Peterson’s nerves as well as nearby homes.

“We got multiple 911 calls about two separate explosions that shook the neighborhood - it actually shook the fire department which is about a quarter of a mile away,” said Capt. Phillip Tavares of the Marshfield Police Department.

Investigators said it doesn’t appear the church was targeted; rather the bombs had been tossed along Highland Street. But, had anyone been had anyone been in the vicinity of the bombs they could have been much worse.

“It was all frozen solid so in order for it to blow that stuff up like that it was highly dangerous,” said Tavares.

State and Marshfield police did manage to gather evidence from the area and are offering an award to anyone with information.

“Our belief is that it was probably just a prank by some kids home on school vacation,” said Tavares. “There has been reports of them all over the state. But I’ve got to tell you, it’s extremely dangerous and the reports that we’re reading is that children have already lost fingers.”

“I don’t know who it was. And I think - what I told our parishioners was we should pray for those people,” said Peterson.

Peterson and her parishioners feel more at east knowing the church wasn’t targeted.

Police are still trying to figure out what the homemade bomb was made out of. The people involved could be charged with a felony. Anyone with any information on the case is urged to call 1-800-682-9229.

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