World War II-era grenades unearthed in box bought in Texas estate sale

An estate sale shopper in Austin, Texas, made an unusual call to police Tuesday after finding six World War II-era grenades in a box they had purchased at a sale.

Bomb squad officers responded to the resident's report around 4 p.m. local time Tuesday after the devices were found, according to the Austin Police Department.

The bomb squad personnel assessed the devices and determined the grenades were live and active, the Austin Police Association said in an Instagram post Tuesday.

Using X-ray imaging to help examine the devices, the personnel confirmed the grenades were live but that they did not pose an immediate threat under the circumstances, police said.

The grenades were safely seized and removed, the police association said.

"These officers bring a level of training, expertise, and steady nerves that most people never see," the police association wrote in its Instagram post. "Handling 80-year-old explosives with unknown stability is dangerous, precise work, and they do it with the professionalism this city counts on."

Patrol officers secured the area, established a perimeter and kept neighbors safe when first responding to the report, according to the police association.

It is unknown why the estate sellers were in possession of the grenades or why they were selling the box that contained them, police said.

The Austin Police Association said no one was charged with a crime in the incident and reminded the public to call 911 immediately if an old military object, such as a shell, grenade or mortar round, is found.

There is not an ongoing investigation of the incident at this time, police said.