Cleaning is rarely anyone's favorite chore, but for one North Carolina family, a routine clear-out turned into a potentially dangerous discovery.
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According to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, a family in Culberson uncovered two explosive devices while cleaning out the home of a deceased relative.
"Deputies and a Narcotics Agent responded to the residence and found one was a smoke grenade and the other an MK2 grenade," the statement read. "Both devices appeared to be live but in stable condition."
North Carolina Grenade Discovery Prompts Bomb Squad Response
Authorities quickly secured the scene after the explosives were discovered.
The Sheriff's Office said the area was locked down before a bomb squad arrived to safely remove the devices and dispose of them.
The statement added that "No other devices were located, and no charges are expected at this time."
Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith thanked deputies and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in resolving the situation and helping keep the public safe.
Exactly how the explosives ended up at the property remains unclear, adding an unusual twist to the discovery.
The MK2 grenade in particular carries a notable history. According to the
National Museum of the Marine Corps, the device dates back to the 1920s and became one of the most recognizable grenades used by U.S. forces.Nicknamed the "pineapple grenade" due to its distinctive segmented exterior, it saw extensive use during World War II.
Historic "Pineapple Grenade" Has Long Military History
The MK2 grenade continued to be used during the Korean War and into the early stages of the Vietnam War before eventually being replaced by more modern explosives.
"Although no longer used on the front lines, the Mk II remains one of the most recognizable weapons associated with the American infantryman," a social media post from the National Museum of the Marine Corps reads.
"It stands as a lasting reminder of the intense close-quarters combat Marines faced and the equipment that supported their success."
Despite being largely phased out from active military use, older grenades can still pose serious risks if they resurface unexpectedly.
In 2021, a Virginia teenager was killed by an explosive believed to be an "inert" MK grenade that had been purchased at a North Carolina antique mall.
"At the time of sale, neither the vendor nor buyer(s) believed the grenades to be functioning or hazardous," an agency statement read, via the Charlotte Observer.
McClatchy News later reported that additional grenades may have been sold by the same vendor dating back to June 2020, raising broader concerns about potentially dangerous military relics circulating as harmless collectibles.
The incident brought renewed attention to the risks associated with so-called "dud" grenades and how items believed to be harmless can still pose serious danger.
