Bomb squad removes live grenade from garage

This U.S. Military MK I illumination grenade is the type of grenade that was found in a residential garage in Shelby Sunday afternoon.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

SHELBY — A live grenade believed to be roughly 60 years old that was discovered in a residential garage Sunday afternoon, Jan. 25, was turned over to the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad Monday, Jan. 26.

The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby-Benona Fire Department were dispatched to the residence in the 200 block of Pine Street where a 51-year-old man discovered the hand grenade while cleaning out his deceased father’s garage, Lt. Craig Mast said. When the man found it, he was uncertain whether or not it was a live grenade. The man told authorities that his father had served in the U.S. Marines back in 1953.

It is a live U.S. Military MK I illumination grenade that contains white phosphorus, said Lt. Joshua Collins of the MSP Bomb Squad. When detonated, it creates a “very bright light,” he said. This type of grenade was used a lot during the Vietnam War, he said. “It will be blown up in a location that can accommodate it,” Collins said, probably somewhere on the east side of the state.

No one was injured in the incident, which Collins described as being fairly common. “We see a lot of military people who hold onto them for sentimental reasons,” he said.

No other weapons were found in the garage, which Collins said was packed full of belongings. He said that he encouraged the residents to contact to him if they find any other military weapons.