A Houston couple who had just closed on a house got a housewarming surprise no one wants on Sunday, when they discovered what authorities say were live explosive devices inside the property. The find brought deputies and the Harris County Bomb Squad to the 7400 block of John Ralston, where they secured the scene and removed the items.
According to MyTexasDaily, which cited a press release from Harris County Constable Precinct 3, the homeowners called Pct. 3 dispatch after they "exercised extreme caution" upon spotting suspicious items inside the home. Deputies arrived and identified what appeared to be hand grenades and improvised explosive devices, and also found multiple types of ammunition along with other firearm-related items on the property. The report states that the bomb squad responded and took the live devices off the premises for disposal.
"Thank you to our deputies and the Harris County bomb squad for their quick response and expertise," the release said, according to MyTexasDaily. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about the devices or indicate whether any criminal charges were expected.
Bomb-squad response and scene safety
Officials said bomb technicians removed the live devices, transported them to a secure location, then cleared the scene. No injuries were immediately reported, and authorities asked neighbors to avoid the area while the sweep was underway.
How common are finds like this?
Explosive discoveries in Harris County are uncommon but not unheard of. In 2022, cleaning crews found a hand grenade inside a north Harris County home, and the bomb squad removed it, as reported by ABC13. Local reporting indicates that deputies and bomb technicians often establish perimeters and ask neighbors to stay clear while devices are evaluated and removed, per coverage by FOX 26 Houston.
Officials advise anyone who discovers a suspicious device to move to a safe location and call 911 rather than handling the item, guidance echoed by the FBI. Harris County authorities did not immediately release further details about the investigation Sunday.
