Dozens of WWII-era inert munitions found in Beatrice, Nebraska, home after resident’s passing

LINCOLN — A stash of World War II-era munitions, about 40 pieces of ordnance, were discovered in a Beatrice home after the resident passed away.

Examination by the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad and members of the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th EOD unit, which responded after a call Thursday from the Beatrice Police Department, determined all the pieces to be inactive.

“Thankfully in this case, none of the items were live munitions, but it’s not safe to assume that of any potential explosive device you may find,” said Sgt. Clayton Dishong, commander of the Patrol’s bomb squad.

He encouraged an immediate call to 911, without moving such items, if people ever come across potential explosive devices in a loved one’s home or in any other circumstance.

The Patrol’s bomb squad and 155th EOD unit report responding to dozens of situations each year in which old ordnance or potential explosive devices are located by family members sorting the belongings of a loved one.