A quiet stretch of West River Road in Columbia Station turned into an active scene for the Lorain County Bomb Squad after relatives cleaning out a recently deceased family member's home stumbled on grenades, mines and other suspected explosive ordnance. Deputies cautioned nearby residents not to handle anything that looks questionable, stressing that keeping the public safe was the priority as specialized technicians moved in to deal with the discovery on site.
In a Facebook update, the Lorain County Sheriff's Office said its Bomb Squad was sent to the West River Road address and warned residents, "do not attempt to move or dispose of suspected explosive items yourselves," adding, "your safety is our primary concern." The post, published on Wednesday, urged anyone who thinks they may have similar ordnance in a home to contact the Bomb Squad instead of trying to move or get rid of it on their own, according to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
Bomb squad response and capabilities
The county's Explosives Unit notes that its technicians train at the FBI's Hazardous Devices School and deploy specialized equipment, including a bomb truck, a Remotec Andros robot, containment vessels and a portable X-ray system, to secure and remove explosive materials. The unit's online description also explains that it conducts post-bomb crime scene investigations and preserves evidence as part of its work. That mix of training and technology allows the team to deal with unstable munitions while keeping risk to surrounding neighborhoods as low as possible, as described by the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
Similar incidents in the region
This was not the first time the Bomb Squad has been called to deal with unexpected explosives in Lorain County. In March 2025, deputies found suspected dynamite on a county property, and technicians treated it with kerosene to neutralize it before taking it away, according to coverage by WOIO/Cleveland19. Local reporting has highlighted the squad's ability to make unstable munitions safe without putting nearby homes and residents in unnecessary danger.
How to stay safe
Authorities say that if you come across anything that might be an explosive, you should leave it where it is, move people away from the area and call 911 right away so trained technicians can respond. The sheriff's office repeated on Facebook that residents should not try to move or dispose of ordnance on their own and that the Bomb Squad is the proper point of contact for handling such items, according to the sheriff's Facebook post. For non-emergencies, the office posts contact information and Bomb Squad resources on its website, per the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
Officials asked anyone with information about the Columbia Station find to reach out through the sheriff's office or the Bomb Squad contact channels. The case is a reminder that old military-style munitions or improvised devices can still surface in ordinary houses and should always be treated as dangerous until professionals have a chance to check them out.
