ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— An unexpected discovery in a local garage has triggered emergency evacuations and an upcoming intentional explosion on a dead-end road in St. Petersburg.
The incident began after a homeowner passed away, leading to the discovery of an explosive device inside the garage of the property, located at 7201 8th Street North. Authorities released a photo of the item, though specific details regarding the type of explosive or how long it had been stored in the building were not immediately made public.
Because of the hazardous nature of the find, local officials requested specialized assistance. The Tampa Bomb Squad responded to the scene to assess the object. Following an inspection, technicians determined that the item was far too unstable to safely transport away from the neighborhood for disposal.
Faced with a volatile device that could not be moved through city streets, the Bomb Squad developed an alternative plan to render the area safe. Personnel will bury the device directly in the home’s backyard. Once the device is secured underground to mitigate the risk of flying debris, the squad plans to detonate the explosive.
The operation has disrupted the immediate area, though the risks are somewhat contained by geography. The home sits on a dead-end road, minimizing general traffic flow. However, safety protocols require temporary displacements.
Authorities confirmed that the mobile homes located closest to the property at a nearby mobile home park are being evacuated. Residents will remain out of their homes until the detonation is complete and the site is declared safe.
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