MOUNT VERNON — On Monday, Mount Vernon received a visit from Roger Heim and John Rohr of the Columbus Ohio Division of Fire Bomb Squad. They were here to retrieve a World War II-era hand grenade found at a residence on West Gambier Street.
According to Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy, the grenade was discovered by family members and an auctioneer who were sorting through items in preparation for an estate sale. The specific origin of the device is unknown.
“I could not rule out that it was live,” said Christy, “so we evacuated the house and garage and secured the property. We then called the Columbus Division of Fire, which is our partner in these matters.”
The bomb squad also was uncertain whether the grenade posed a danger.
“We are not sure if it is live or not,” said Heim. “We will countercharge and explode it to make sure it is not a danger.”
That will be done in a safe area designated for the purpose, added Rohr.
