World War I grenade contains no explosives

A spokesman for the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad ex-rayed a World War I era German hand grenade and determined it contained no explosives.

The incident started at abut 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18

According to Greg Smith, public affairs officer for the Naval Weapons Station, a local resident found what appeared to be a handgrenade and dropped it off at the base’s Pass and ID Office. Base personnel had the man put the “grenade” down on the steps and evacuated the building.

The OCSD Bomb Squad has responded to determine if the device is a real hand grenade or a dummy.

The Seal Beach Police Department had shut down Seal Beach Boulevard and was referring all inquiries to the Naval Weapons Station.

At about 5:45 p.m., Smith said the Bomb Squad had x-rayed the device and found it contained no explosives.

It is not known if charges will be filed against the individual who brought the grenade to the Navy base.