AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 7, 2026
WWII-Era Grenades Uncovered During Estate Sale in Austin
An Austin, Texas resident made a startling estate sale discovery in October when five live World War II-era grenades were found inside boxes purchased from a sale. The dangerous find prompted a swift and serious response from law enforcement.
Immediate Response from Austin Police and Bomb Squad
According to the Austin Police Association (APA), which publicly announced the discovery, the buyer recognized the possible danger and quickly notified authorities. Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded, secured the scene, and established a perimeter to ensure the safety of nearby residents before calling in their Bomb Squad specialists.
Bomb Squad Confirms Age and Lethality of Ordnance
APD Bomb Squad supervisor Sgt. Issa Kafena confirmed that the grenades appeared to be about 80 years old and were still active military explosives. Although the exact manufacturing date was unclear, the ordnance was verified as live and posed substantial danger. "All ordnance... there's an inherent danger to any and all of it, especially if it's military ordnance. It's designed to hurt and kill people," Kafena explained.
Safe Disposal and Ongoing Public Safety Concerns
The bomb squad safely recovered and destroyed the five grenades. Despite their age, such military explosives remain hazardous. Kafena emphasized, "If you ever find it, don't touch it, call 911 immediately and have the bomb squad come out and help address the situation." He noted that incidents like this are more common than generally believed in the central Texas area.
Frequency of Military Ordnance Discoveries and Recent Incidents
Sgt. Kafena revealed that the APD Bomb Squad is frequently called to manage dangerous situations involving old military explosives. APD’s bomb team responds to over 400 deployments each year, with approximately 150 to 175 call-outs involving military ordnance or equipment. Their coverage extends over 8,400 square miles in a 10-county region, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by forgotten or hidden explosives.
Similar Discoveries Elsewhere Underscore Ongoing Risks
This Austin incident is not isolated. Last fall, over 150 WWII-era artillery shells were uncovered by a father and son in a Czech forest, and more recently, airport officers found a spent smoke grenade disguised in luggage in New York. These cases reinforce the importance of public vigilance regarding the potential risks posed by old military explosives.
Source: foxnews.com.
