Live Mortar, Likely From WWII, Discovered & Removed From Brighton Heights Home
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The discovery of a live mortar, possibly from World War II, caused a flurry of activity in the city's Brighton Heights section Tuesday afternoon.
An electrician doing work at the home in the 3500-block of Massachusetts Avenue found the live 16-millimeter mortar shell hidden away in the rafters. It had been there for years.
Police were called to the scene around 3:30 p.m.
"I pulled it out and got a paper towel and wiped it off cause it was really dusty," said Larry Warner, the electrician, "and like a dummy, I shook it. When I cleaned off the top of the lid and saw it said 16 millimeter mortar shell, I knew in the weight of it, I figured this isn't a novelty thing."
Dave Sciranka grew up in the home, and is now getting electrical work done there.
He says his father was a World War II veteran and likely brought it home.
"I was in shock. I couldn't believe it cause I've lived in that house," said Sciranka. "My dad's been dead for a lot of years and he was a World War II veteran and he must have brought it home."
Pittsburgh Police removed it from the home without incident, but it caused some pretty tense moments.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
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