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Man Walks Into Canadian Police Station Carrying a Live WWII Grenade
What one Ottawa man thought was a safe way to dispose of an old military explosive quickly turned into a bomb scare. Police were forced to secure an undetonated Second World War grenade outside a detachment before military explosives experts safely removed it.
Second World War era grenade dropped off at Ontario Provincial Police station July 10, 2026. OPP OPP VIA X
It looked like an old war relic.
It was still capable of killing someone.
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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say an Ottawa-area resident arrived at the Ottawa OPP Detachment on Friday, July 11, carrying what turned out to be an undetonated Second World War hand grenade.
According to police, the man believed he was doing the right thing by bringing the explosive to officers so it could be safely disposed of.
Instead, he unknowingly created a dangerous situation.
The grenade remained outside the police detachment while officers immediately activated established safety procedures and secured the area.
Military explosives specialists from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa were then called to the scene.
Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team examined the device before safely removing it for disposal.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the incident ended without the grenade detonating.
If you've followed this far, here's the part that actually matters.
Police say this is exactly what the public should not do.
Transporting old grenades, ammunition, artillery shells, or any suspected explosive device can expose everyone nearby to unnecessary risk, especially if the condition of the explosive is unknown.
Instead, the OPP advises anyone who discovers a suspected military explosive to leave it where it is, keep others away from the area, and immediately contact local police.
Trained Explosive Disposal Unit members have specialized equipment to assess and safely remove such devices.
Although World War II ended nearly 80 years ago, unexploded military ordnance continues to surface across Canada and other countries during construction projects, home renovations, farming activities, and estate cleanouts.
Experts warn that age does not necessarily make these explosives harmless.
In many cases, deteriorating components can make them even more unstable than when they were originally manufactured.
For one Ottawa resident, what seemed like a responsible decision ended with a bomb squad response.
Police hope others will learn from the incident before making the same mistake.
Editor's Note
Unexploded military ordnance remains a real public safety concern decades after major conflicts have ended. Authorities across North America consistently advise against touching or transporting suspected explosives, no matter how old they appear. The safest response is always to leave the device where it is and call emergency services.
