Live WWII grenades found at Texas estate sale: Austin Police Department

( NewsNation ) — Texas authorities averted a potential disaster this week after someone discovered 80-year-old live explosives in a box purchased at an estate sale.

The Austin Police Association said (APA) officers responded to a call on Tuesday from a resident who noticed what appeared to be World War II-era grenades among the items he had purchased.

APA said its Bomb Squad confirmed the grenades were live and active, then safely seized and removed them. Meanwhile, patrol officers secured the scene and set up a perimeter to protect neighbors.

While authorities confirmed there was no crime, they said the incident serves as a reminder not to touch old military weapons and to call 911 so the proper authorities can handle it.

“These officers bring a level of training, expertise, and steady nerves that most people never see,” APA said of the bomb squad.

“Handling 80-year-old explosives with unknown stability is dangerous, precise work, and they do it with the professionalism this city counts on,” they added.