Bomb squad called after woman finds grenade in drawer of Richland home

A woman cleaning out a relative’s Richland home got a scary surprise on Saturday.

Richland police were called to a home in the 1000 block of Smith Ave. around 1:30 p.m. after what appeared to be a grenade was discovered.

The woman and her mother were cleaning out the home and found the explosive in a drawer. They moved it to the front yard, and officers set up a safety perimeter, according to a social media post from the department.

Richland’s bomb squad responded and evaluated the grenade, determining it was safe before removing it.

“While it may seem unusual, calls like this are not uncommon. Often, family members discover military items or suspicious items while cleaning out homes. Occasionally, these items are found in places where people would never expect them,” the department said in the Facebook post.

“If you ever come across an item that appears suspicious or potentially dangerous, please use caution and contact your local law enforcement agency,” the post continued. “Do not attempt to transport the item to your local police or sheriff’s department. If needed, trained personnel, including the RPD Bomb Squad, will respond to assess the situation and ensure everyone’s safety.”