Grenade Found in Vacant Jarrettsville Home: Fire Marshal

Workers cleaning out a vacant home near Jarrettsville came across a grenade earlier this week, according to a report from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Bomb technicians from the fire marshal’s office were called to a residence Wednesday afternoon in the 1800 block of Baldwin Mill Road, where they identified the unexploded military ordnance as an MK2 fragmentation grenade, according to the report.

While the device was intended to be used for military training, technicians said it had been tampered with and may have been converted into a live grenade, the report stated.

They removed the device and conducted an emergency disposal, according to the fire marshal’s report.

The home had belonged to Robert K. Morton, who died in 2007, the report said. Morton was a U.S. Marine who was a member of the Marine Raiders in World War II, according to the Harford County Marines.

The grenade was discovered by a company that handles vacant and foreclosed homes, according to the fire marshal. Workers for the company reportedly found the device in the basement of the residence.

If anyone comes across a military ordnance, Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said people should follow these “three Rs”—Recognize that any suspicious objects found should not be touched under any circumstances. Retreat or carefully leave the area. Report immediately what was found and it’s approximate location to a 911 dispatcher.”

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