A portion of downtown was closed off Thursday night under an abundance of caution after someone transported a suspected Second World War grenade to the city’s core.
Stratford police said a citizen found the grenade in their home while cleaning it out. That person went to Stratford police to let them know, leaving the grenade in their vehicle in a municipal parking lot.
Around 7 p.m., public access was immediately closed off in the area, including George Street West between Downie Street and St Patrick Street.
A bomb disposal unit from Waterloo Regional police arrived at 8:50 p.m. and retrieved the grenade without incident.
The area was reopened to the public by 9 p.m.
Police say due to their age, devices such as these are known to be highly unstable when moved and could result in serious injury or death to people moving them, or anyone else in the area.
Leaving them where they are found, and contacting police to make arrangements to have them removed and disposed of, is the best course of action.
