Explosion on Paignton beach
A live Second World War grenade was discovered in Paignton by a local beachcomber with a metal detector.
The explosive device was found on Tuesday morning just a few feet from vacationers on the beach. When a Royal Navy bomb squad was called in to dispose of it before the tide moved it, tourists were evacuated from the area.
The bomb disposal experts later carried out a controlled explosion which was said to have created a sand storm 80ft high.
Later, a police spokesman said, “We were called to a report that a walker on the beach with a metal detector had located what he believed to be a war time grenade. After confirmation from the bomb squad that it was a live Second World War grenade, the beach was cleared by the police with the help of a coastguard. A controlled explosion was used to disarm seven ounces of plastic explosive.”
A local witness to the explosion said, “I heard there was a Second World War grenade on the beach. The guy who found it comes down here every day with his metal detector. It was a good bang. It sounded like one of those bigger mortars at fireworks displays.”
Residents in the popular Devon resort will be relieved that the bomb was found and dealt with, but may also wonder if there are any more lurking in the sands.