Bomb squad handles explosives big and small

SIKESTON -- Local residents were cleaning their grandparents' home when they stumbled across something alarming.

The residents, who did not wish to be identified, had found a pineapple grenade while cleaning their grandparents' home in Sikeston, so they called the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad to take a look.

The call was made Aug. 17. Capt. Mike Williams, special operations commander for Sikeston Department of Public Safety, arrived at the scene.

Williams said the grenade they found had a hole drilled at the bottom and had no working parts that would make it dangerous. In other words -- a dummy grenade.

"It's something you can buy commercially for people who like army memorabilia," said Williams. He said the residents were "sure it was safe but wanted it checked out."

Williams has been involved of the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad since its inception in 2006.

According to Williams, they get called out about 20 times a year for explosive-related items.

"The biggest threats we probably see here, recently anyway, are recovered military ordnances brought home from wars or stolen from the military." Williams said. "That stuff is pretty dangerous."

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