KELSEYVILLE — A World War II Japanese mortar round was discovered and safely detonated Wednesday.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) deputies responded to a Kelseyville home for a report of found munitions. According to LCSO Public Information Officer Steve Brooks, Public Administrator”s Office employees were cleaning out a home, which was previously occupied by a veteran who had recently died.
The employees were removing items from the home when they located some assorted ammunition and a device they could not identify.
An LCSO sergeant responded to the home to identify the device. Brooks stated the sergeant believed the device to be some type of military ordnance and contacted the Napa County Sheriff”s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit.
The sergeant took several pictures of the device and emailed them to the Napa County EOD Unit for identification. The EOD unit contacted the patrol sergeant and verified it was a live explosive device, identifying it as a World War II Japanese mortar.
The Napa County EOD Unit then informed the sergeant it was responding to the home to dispose of the mortar.
LCSO deputies evacuated the area and set a 300-foot perimeter around the home. Deputies also obtained supplies requested by the Napa County EOD Unit in order for the mortar to be safely detonated. Kelseyville Fire Protection District personnel responded to the area as a safety precaution.
At 3:30 p.m., the EOD Unit arrived at the home and inspected the mortar with a remote controlled robot, preparing the mortar for detonation. Approximately one hour later, the mortar was safely detonated without causing any damage to nearby structures.