A self-storage auction buyer found an inactive grenade on Monday while sorting through the unit contents he purchased at Safe Harbor Self Storage in Valparaiso, Fla. The device was stored in a canister, according to Thomas Nalovic, who purchased the unit for $500 on Saturday.
Emergency personnel from the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal team at Eglin Air Force Base were called to the property at 550 Valparaiso Parkway at 2:30 p.m. to investigate. The grenade was X-rayed and found to be non-explosive, according to the source.
The device also contained a “blue spoon” or safety lever, indicating it was likely a training grenade. Such products can be purchased from military-surplus storage, the source reported.
Nalovic said he was looking for “treasure” when he came upon what appeared to be a powered-sugar canister. “I opened it excitedly, and it was even more packed inside with paper towels. I cleared those out and I saw a grenade,” he said.
Nalovic handed the canister to his wife, Dr. Jennifer Fortune, who put it down slowly. He then called police, who in turn phoned the disposal team.
Sources:
- Northwest Florida Daily News: Grenade Causes Scare at Storage Unit in Valparaiso
