WWII ordnance located in home after owner dies

Bomb squad members responded after a Nebraska police department reported the munitions when the resident of the home passed away.

BEATRICE, Neb. — Dozens of World War II era munitions were discovered at a home in eastern Nebraska.

Approximately 40 ordnance were located inside a home in Beatrice last week after the homeowner passed away.

The Beatrice Police Department reported the munitions on Thursday, calling in the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad and members of the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th EOD unit.

The bomb squad and explosive ordnance disposal unit responded and determined all of the ordnances to be inert.

Nebraska State Patrol said its bomb squad and the Nebraska Air National Guard respond each year to dozens of situations in which old ordnance or potential explosive devices are located by family members cleaning out the belongings of a loved one.

“Thankfully in this case, none of the items were live munitions, but it’s not safe to assume that of any potential explosive device you may find,” said Sgt. Clayton Dishong, Commander of the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad.

“If you ever come across any potential explosive device when cleaning out a loved one’s home or in any other circumstance, call 911 immediately and do not move the item.”