BONNE TERRE, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
A potentially explosive situation puts a Missouri town on edge. An evacuation of several blocks ordered after two old mortar shells were brought to City Hall in Bonne Terre. The Department of Defense detonated the ammunition after it appeared it could have cause a disaster.
Bonne Terre City Administrator, Larry Barton said, "We had people from the U.S Army come over from Farmington. They went down and looked at the mortars and they said as best as they can tell everything is there to make these real nuisances."
Barton says a Virginia man brought the mortars to City Hall after cleaning out his ailing brother's home. "He didn't see anything wrong with how he was handling them. He was bringing them to City Hall to dispose of them. His heart was in the right place."
But the thought of two potentially explosive devices sitting in the front seat of a Toyota Prius sent Bonne Terre into crisis mode.
Chief Douglas Calvert said, "They were 8-10 inches with shell fins on the back and it's made for flight and to detonate."
Police set up a two block barricade around the car evacuated City Hall and 10 nearby homes.
"Even though there is no powder in there it's compared to a grenade. But it still has shrapnel and things like that. You may not have a major explosion but you are still going to have a certain amount danger," said Barton.
City leaders say they would rather be safe than sorry. "You just never know. I'm not one to take chances," said Barton.
Bonne Terre City Administrator, Larry Barton said, "We had people from the U.S Army come over from Farmington. They went down and looked at the mortars and they said as best as they can tell everything is there to make these real nuisances."
Barton says a Virginia man brought the mortars to City Hall after cleaning out his ailing brother's home. "He didn't see anything wrong with how he was handling them. He was bringing them to City Hall to dispose of them. His heart was in the right place."
But the thought of two potentially explosive devices sitting in the front seat of a Toyota Prius sent Bonne Terre into crisis mode.
Chief Douglas Calvert said, "They were 8-10 inches with shell fins on the back and it's made for flight and to detonate."
Police set up a two block barricade around the car evacuated City Hall and 10 nearby homes.
"Even though there is no powder in there it's compared to a grenade. But it still has shrapnel and things like that. You may not have a major explosion but you are still going to have a certain amount danger," said Barton.
City leaders say they would rather be safe than sorry. "You just never know. I'm not one to take chances," said Barton.
