A dangerous discovery inside a St. Petersburg garage forced police to evacuate nearby mobile homes and call in the Tampa Bomb Squad.
An explosive device was found at a home on 8th Street North after a homeowner died, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Police said the device was too unstable to transport safely, so bomb technicians destroyed it at the property.
For homeowners, the case points to a risk that can surface during cleanouts, estate work, repairs, or moves. Garages, sheds, attics, and workshops can hold hazardous items that should be left untouched until authorities determine what they are.
The Bomb Squad Detonated It in the Backyard
The Tampa Bomb Squad responded after St. Petersburg police requested assistance, according to the report.
Because the device could not be moved safely, bomb technicians buried it in the backyard and detonated it on site. Police said the device was then safely burning underground, a process expected to take about an hour.
Nearby Mobile Homes Were Evacuated
The home was located near a dead-end street, and police said only the closest mobile homes were temporarily evacuated before the detonation.
No injuries or property damage were reported. Officers remained at the scene until the area was cleared.
Police Have Not Identified the Device
Authorities had not released the specific type of explosive device or how long it had been inside the garage.
FOX 13 reported that police had not said how the device was originally obtained. Without that information, residents should avoid making assumptions about old ordnance, suspicious tubes, homemade-looking devices, or unfamiliar materials found in storage areas.
Suspicious Garage Finds Should Be Left Alone
The FBI advises people who find a suspicious package or object to avoid handling it, isolate the area, and call 911.
Anyone cleaning out a garage, shed, attic, storage unit, or inherited property should back away from an item that looks explosive, unstable, or unfamiliar and let trained responders decide how it should be handled.