Maine State Police Bomb Squad Removes Mortar Round Found in Bowdoinham

A Bowdoinham resident's discovery of a military mortar round on White Road Saturday afternoon triggered a Maine State Police Bomb Squad response that stretched into a second call an hour later, when a live World War II-era hand grenade turned up inside a Winslow home.

At approximately 2:27 p.m. on March 21, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office requested bomb squad assistance after the resident reported finding a possible mortar round on their private property. MSP Bomb Technicians Wing and Pescitelli arrived on scene and identified the device as an 81mm M374 mortar round. X-ray analysis confirmed the round was dangerous. "X-ray analyses showed indicators of the item being potentially hazardous," Maine State Police stated in an official release. The round was removed from the property and taken to a secure location to be rendered safe.

The Bowdoinham call was still fresh when a second report came in roughly 70 minutes later. At approximately 3:36 p.m., the Winslow Fire and Police Department responded to a residence on Main Street after a complainant found a hand grenade while cleaning out the home. First responders requested the bomb squad, and Technician Pina responded to the scene. The device was identified as a live standard MK2 hand grenade from the World War II or Korean War era and was removed from the residence to be rendered safe in a secure location.

Maine State Police did not report any injuries, property damage, evacuations, or road closures in connection with either incident. No further details on the method or timing of render-safe operations have been released.

Anyone who discovers suspected explosive ordnance should call 9-1-1 immediately and not attempt to move or handle the device. Maine State Police can be reached at their Augusta non-emergency line at (207) 624-7076.