Several homes in Lakehurst were temporarily evacuated Sunday after inert World War II–era explosives were discovered in the basement of a residence, police said.
Homes within a 250-foot radius of the 500 block of Rose and Willow streets, as well as residences in the 400 and 500 blocks of Maple and Poplar streets, were evacuated shortly after noon, according to Lakehurst Police Chief Matthew Kline. The evacuation followed a report from a resident who found the items while cleaning out the basement.
The items were described as a hand grenade and an anti-tank round marked “1942 WWII,” Kline said.
The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, assisted by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, responded to the scene and assessed the devices.
Authorities determined that the items were inert and not live ammunition. State Police confiscated both items as a precaution, Kline said.
Residents within the evacuation zone were notified of the findings, and the evacuation was lifted shortly before 1:30 p.m., police said.