MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — A live hand grenade was found inside a Mercer Island home on Friday morning, which was safely removed by explosive experts.
Around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 9, a family was cleaning out the house of their father after he died and found the hand grenade in his military chest, according to the Mercer Island Police Department.
Bomb technicians said they believe it is a Type 97 Japanese grenade from the Korean War. That has not been confirmed.
The family evacuated from the home, located near Ellis Pond Park on Mercer Island, until the Bellevue Police Department bomb squad arrived.
The grenade was removed just before 3 p.m. and bomb technicians confirmed the device was live.
Bellevue police secured the device until U.S. Army technicians from Fort Lewis responded. An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist safely secured and took possession of grenade, according to Mercer Island police.