WWI Munition Complicates Drain Clearing Operation

Evesham, United Kingdom When George Smith decided to clear out a clogged drain in his backyard, he was not expecting the source of the clog to be a WWI UXO. His son suggested calling authorities after Smith had unknowingly dumped the hand grenade in a bucket and bashed it with a crowbar.

Residents were evacuated from their homes as bomb disposal teams examined the device. An Army EOD unit safely removed the grenade and took it away to be destroyed. Smith, a retired environment officer said, "I knew it was a grenade but not a live one. It still had the pin still in, so I knew it wasn't going to explode." He jokingly said, "It has certainly been the highlight of my time in lockdown, but it's rather slowed down working on cleaning the drains."