No injuries reported after crews destroy live grenade in Saline County field

SALINE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Deputies reported no injuries Monday afternoon after a live grenade was destroyed in a Saline County field.

The explosive device was discovered in the 100 block of Stinson Street in Blackburn, Missouri, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Department.

ABC 17 News is told the grenade was found while someone was cleaning out a shed. The shed was inherited and the new owner began to clean when they stumbled across a rusty grenade.

The pineapple-style grenade was still fully operational at the time of its discovery. Deputies said an explosive ordinance disposal team from Whiteman Air Force Base responded to the scene after the device was located.

According to Saline County Sheriff Cindi Mullins, this isn't the first time a situation like this has occurred in her career. She has allegedly come across live grenades and active mortar shells.

"We've seen this numerous times in old houses and barns," she said. "Old military gear that gets forgotten about."

According to Mullins, these old explosives can be very unstable and it's important to tread lightly.

"If you're unsure of what something may be, call authorities," Mullins said. "Do not touch or play with it and clear the area immediately."

The EOD team handled the explosive and took possession over it for disposal.

Crews destroyed the grenade without incident in a nearby field that belonged to a firefighter who was on scene at the time of the call. The grenade went off with a loud bang and large plume of smoke.