New homeowners find live ammunition and explosives in northeast Harris County home

New homeowners in northeast Harris County discovered live ammunition and what appeared to be grenades and improvised explosive devices inside a house they had recently purchased and called law enforcement, prompting a bomb squad response that removed the devices safely.

Harris County Constable Precinct 3 deputies responded to the 7400 block of John Ralston Road on Jan. 13 after the buyers alerted authorities. Deputies secured the scene while the Harris County Bomb Squad evaluated the items and determined the devices were live before removing them without incident. Officials publicly thanked the homeowners for exercising caution; the origin and ownership of the explosives remain under investigation.

The discovery in a residential property underscores public safety concerns for buyers, sellers and neighbors. Explosive ordnance and live ammunition present high-risk hazards in built environments, and the presence of such items in a family home raises questions about past occupants and whether sellers disclosed known dangers. Local law enforcement agencies handled the immediate threat, but investigators will need time to trace how the devices came to be in the house and whether any violations of law occurred.

For nearby residents, the episode was a reminder of the rapid escalation possible when unknown munitions are found. Deputies established a perimeter and the bomb squad followed standard protocols to render the devices safe. No injuries were reported, and authorities did not report any damage to surrounding properties. The response demonstrates the capacity of Harris County public safety units to manage ordnance incidents within populated neighborhoods.

For Harris County homebuyers and renters, the incident highlights practical steps to reduce risk: inspect for hidden or stored hazards during walkthroughs, ask sellers direct questions about weapons and ammunition, and include thorough inspections in closing conditions. If you encounter suspicious objects, do not touch them, evacuate the area if necessary and call 911 so trained personnel can secure and evaluate the scene.

The investigation into ownership and origin is ongoing, and law enforcement has appealed for anyone with relevant information to contact the appropriate authorities through normal channels. Our two cents? Treat homes like public safety projects—ask the hard questions during a sale, insist on thorough inspections, and if you find something that looks dangerous, step back and let the professionals handle it.