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Man Found Dead After Police Respond to Explosions in Salem Apartment

A police officer leaves the home, where an armed man had barricaded himself in, officials said. Multiple small explosive devices were thrown out of windows of the home, according to State Police spokesman David Procopio. State Police bomb squad and SWAT team were on scene, along with local police officers. Mark Lorenz for The Boston Globe MARK LORENZ/ THE BOSTON GLOBE

By Chris Caesar

Less than a minute to read

A Salem man was found dead of what police believe were self-inflicted gunshot wounds after they responded to explosions reported at his Meadow Street apartment early Saturday morning.

Neighbors called police about the blasts just after 7:30 a.m. Mayor Kim Driscoll said arriving officers saw the man throwing “improvised explosive devices’’ out of his window, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses.

Five hours later, police discovered George Sprague, 49, alone in the home.

No other injuries were reported, including a family who lived above Sprague in a second-floor apartment who escaped the scene after the first explosion.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the man’s death.

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