By Michael P. McConnell, Daily Tribune Staff Writer
MADISON HEIGHTS -- A phosphorous grenade detonated and burned a 15-inch hole in a privacy fence after a man found the device in his garage and the pin fell out, police said.
"We're fortunate it was a phosphorous grenade, which produces flame and smoke, and not an explosive grenade," said Madison Height police Lt. Robert Anderson.
The man, 38, was cleaning his garage Sunday evening in the 29000 block of Edward near 12 Mile between John R and Dequindre when he found the grenade.
"He picked up the grenade and when he did the pin fell out," Anderson said. "He looked at the bottom and it wasn't hollowed out so he knew it wasn't a dummy."
The man took the grenade to another man, 52, who was visiting a friend next door and had military experience, police said.
The other man told him the grenade appeared to be from World War II and that there was nothing that could be done once the pin was out.
"The other man then took the grenade and threw it into the backyard of the neighbor behind him and it went off," Anderson said.
Police went to the scene but said there was no evidence left for them to look at to determine the make or model of the grenade.
"Our advice when anyone finds anything that remotely looks like an explosive to evacuate the area and call police," he said.
The owner of the fence that was burned is working with the man who threw the grenade to have the fence repaired, police said.
Contact Michael P. McConnell at
[email protected] or at (586) 783-0269.
