A routine garage cleanout in Clark County turned into something out of a rail-yard thriller Monday, when a homeowner stumbled on about 30 small explosive devices tucked away on the property. The discovery in the 4700 block of Old Mill Road near Springfield drew a response from emergency crews, including members of the Hustead Fire Department and the Dayton Bomb Squad, who removed the aging items without incident.
The Clark County Sheriff's Office said the homeowner called deputies after finding what appeared to be roughly 30 torpedoes while clearing the garage. Deputies told WSYX the devices are believed to contain potassium perchlorate, a chemical often used in fireworks and safety flares.
What Are Railroad Torpedoes?
Railroad torpedoes, also known as railway detonators, are coin-sized charges that were once strapped to train rails so crews would hear a loud bang when wheels rolled over them. The noise served as an audible emergency or stop signal. Over time, the explosive compounds inside can become unstable, Wikipedia explains.
How Officials Handled The Find
The Hustead Fire Department and the Dayton Bomb Squad took custody of the torpedoes and removed them from the scene, according to the sheriff's office, which told WSYX there were no injuries and no further complications. Authorities did not immediately say whether the torpedoes would be detonated in place or transported elsewhere for controlled disposal.
Similar Finds Across Ohio
Old railway detonators and other legacy munitions have a way of resurfacing when people clean out basements and barns or haul home boxes from auctions, and those surprises typically bring in a bomb-squad response. For example, WFMJ reported on a torpedo discovered after an auction purchase, and Ashland Source recently described county bomb-squad removals that included torpedoes among other munitions.
Safety Reminder
Officials are reminding residents that if you come across suspicious old munitions, the safest move is not to touch them at all and to call local law enforcement or 911 so trained teams can secure and remove the items. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) notes that perchlorate compounds used in devices like these are reactive oxidizers found in fireworks and flares and can pose fire and environmental risks if mishandled.
