The Calgary Police Service bomb disposal unit was called to a residence in the city’s southwest after a woman reported finding some unusual “military ordnance” Tuesday afternoon, but it turned out to be far less threatening than first thought.
Shirley Warrington was doing some yard work Tuesday morning at Elbow Drive and Hillary Crescent S.W., when she uncovered the item.
“When I was raking out from under the bushes, this little thing popped out and it looked like a hand grenade.”
“I didn’t know if it was a toy or the real thing, so I figured I better get it checked out,” Warrington said.
She called the police district office in her neighbourhood and the bomb squad was dispatched.
Police closed Elbow Drive in both directions around the home until officers removed the item from the front yard, put it in a container and took it away. By 1 p.m. the area was open to traffic again.
Warrington said she was told to stay in the basement of her home with her baby until the incident was over.
Neighbour John Hansma was told to stay 50 metres away from the area, and watched as the bomb squad put the item in a box.
“You got to take it all with precaution, eh? You don’t know whether it’s real or whether it’s not.”
Police said late Tuesday it turned out to be a grenade-shaped cigarette lighter.
Sgt. John Paul Winsor said the homeowner did what she was supposed to do when anyone finds anything that looks like a weapon.
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