Live artillery shell discovered behind Grantsville home

GRANTSVILLE – A Grantsville community was put on alert Sunday when a live World War II-era artillery shell was discovered on a family’s property.

The discovery occurred around 5 p.m. at the property near 350 W. Peach Street.

“There was a citizen out there who recently passed away. As the family was cleaning up the property, someone came across an artillery shell, a 155mm artillery shell, said Benjamin Porter, a spokesman for the Unified Fire Authority.

Porter described the clam as large, about 2 feet long and weighing about 100 pounds. He said when the family discovered it, they were completely surprised as they were unaware of his presence.

“They said when they found it it was just lying in the dirt, maybe a little covered, but it wasn’t buried or hidden. “It was just put aside and looked like it might have been forgotten,” Porter said.

After the family called 911, Grantsville police were first on scene to observe the device. When neighbors were asked to shelter in place, the UFA Bomb Squad’s Special Operations Division responded and used a robot to x-ray the device and found it was still active. Porter said the U.S. Air Force was then called to collect and dispose of the grenade.

“They determined the risk was relatively low, so they notified surrounding homes,” Porter said.

Authorities involved in removing the artillery shell are now trying to determine how it got to the property and how long it was there. They said they did not believe this was criminal activity.

Porter said he was grateful for the family’s response to finding the device and reminded others to call 911 if they ever encounter something similar.

“If you find unexploded ordnance, be it explosive charges or dynamite or any kind of wartime artillery shells or ammunition, don’t mess with it, don’t touch it. Call 911,” Porter said. “Let’s get started, let’s get out there. We can check it and deal with it if necessary.”