Dynamite Discovery Leads to Emergency in Valley Glen
A homeowner in Valley Glen found 20 sticks of activated dynamite stashed in a freezer in his garage on Wednesday. What started as a simple cleanup quickly escalated into a significant emergency, prompting evacuations in the area.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Rose Avenue after a woman reported her shocking find to the Los Angeles Police Department. She was baffled about the origins of the explosives and their owner.
Captain Warner Castillo from the LAPD’s North Hollywood Division noted that the woman and her deceased husband had acquired both the house and the refrigerator. Her husband passed away several years ago, leaving her to uncover this mystery alone.
Members of the bomb squad assessed the dynamite and confirmed it was still active. For safety reasons, nearby residents were evacuated, and teams conducted a door-to-door search in the vicinity.
The total weight of the explosives was estimated to be between 10 and 15 pounds.
To neutralize the dynamite, experts soaked it in diesel fuel, a method referred to as “desensitization,” before putting it in proper containment for transport to an undisclosed site.
Interestingly, the police are not treating this situation as a criminal matter. Instead, they categorized the explosives as “lost/found,” while they work to figure out where they came from and how they ended up in the freezer.
Castillo remarked, “I’m no expert, but whoever put it there knew it was safe enough to be worth it.” Investigators discovered no fuse or blasting tube at the location.
Interestingly, the dynamite sticks were somewhat damp, though it’s uncertain if this was due to melting ice from the freezer or a reflection of the explosive’s condition.
Legally, dynamite can be obtained for construction purposes, but it requires specific permits and licenses, making it unlikely for just anyone to purchase it easily.
During the operation, several streets were closed, and a 500-foot evacuation zone was established, affecting around 32 residents, while 22 others opted to stay put.
Officials cautioned that an accidental explosion could lead to widespread devastation in the area. The LAPD stated that there are no further updates available at this time.
