The alleged explosive device was a tube filled with inflammable liquids.

AUBURN – Bomb experts were called to Turner Road Thursday night after a homemade explosive device was found in back of a house.

Police believe a 17-year-old boy constructed the device and then left it in back of his 2737 Turner Road home.

The explosive was discovered on the ground at about 7:30 p.m., surrounded by a house, barn and garage as well as several vehicles.

“The boy’s father went out back to work on a car and noticed this thing laying there,” said Auburn police Officer Terry McCormick. “He called us right away. We came out here and cordoned off the area.”

What police found was a long, cardboard tube with a plastic material filled with inflammable liquids and a wick sticking out of one end. The tube – roughly 2-feet long and 6-inches wide – was sealed at both ends with tape.

“It’s a pretty crude device, but we’re not going to mess around with it,” McCormick said.

Instead, police called for the Maine State Police Explosive Ordinance Division to dispose of the homemade bomb. While waiting for the team to arrive, McCormick remained on Turner Road speaking with the family of the 17-year-old.

The boy’s father and brother said they had no idea why the teen might have constructed the explosive device. They also checked the teen’s computer to see if he got directions to build the bomb from the Internet. Nothing was immediately found.

The State Police team arrived at the scene at about 9 p.m. Around the same time, the 17-year-old suspect was found after police stopped a car at Turner Street and Mount Auburn Avenue.

The teen told police the device behind his house was filled with starter fluid and oil and that the wick had been soaked in gasoline, investigators said.

The bomb experts from State Police intentionally set off the device and disposed of the remains. Police and investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were still speaking with the teenager late Thursday.

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