A shocking discovery in rural Washington nearly turned tragic when a 3-year-old boy stumbled upon a live World War II grenade in his front yard, authorities confirmed.
The child, who lives in Hartline… a small town between Seattle and Spokane… picked up the rusted device Monday evening and brought it inside to his parents. Alarmed, they immediately contacted the Grant County Sheriff’s Office around 6:45 p.m.
Deputies quickly secured the home and called in the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad, which determined the grenade was active. Technicians safely removed the explosive and detonated it in a remote area outside of town.
Officials said the grenade, weathered from decades of exposure, matched devices commonly used during the Second World War. How it ended up in the family’s yard remains a mystery.
The sheriff’s office is urging residents to stay vigilant if they encounter old military relics: “Do not touch it. Call 911 immediately.”
