Authorities blocked off a portion of Russell Lane near Green Avenue on Sunday, after a woman doing yard work found a grenade on her front lawn just before noon.
Officials say it’s a good thing she didn’t touch the grenade and called them right away, because they say the device could cause significant injury or even death.
Residents within a 1000 foot radius of the property had to be evacuated. The bomb squad was called in to remove the hand grenade and detonate it outside a secure facility.
“Schrapnel, damage to the human body, could be deadly if you’re close enough,” said Deputy Chief Steve Quattrini of the Smithfield Fire Department. “We’ll go back to that thousand foot radius. We’re comfortable with that, that’s coming from the Bomb squad themselves. So that’s why part of the block was evacuated.”
Smithfield Police are investigating how it could’ve gotten onto the lawn.
Neighbors say they’re surprised the incident would happen here.