Grenade at Caruthersville fire was nonexplosive

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Caruthersville firefighters and police received quite a scare Wednesday when they found what appeared to be a bomb during a fire a home at 806 Franklin Ave., but the device turned out to be nonexplosive.

The Caruthersville Fire Department called bomb squads from Cape Girardeau and Sikeston, Missouri, and secured the scene. A Fort Leonard Wood Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit was brought in to take care of the device.

It soon was discovered the device actually was part of an M-29 practice rifle grenade from the Korean War era.

"We believe the device was stolen from a resident that lives in the 500 block of East State Street several months ago," police chief Tony Jones explained.

It was not explosive. Its only use was in training purposes, and Fort Leonard Wood unit took the device with them.

Investigators discovered the fire was a possible arson, which remains under investigation. The rental home belonged to Jack and Virginia Brown of Caruthersville. The resident, Lisa Rawlings, was not home at the time of the fire.

Pertinent address:

806 Franklin Ave., Caruthersville, Mo.