(MUNICIPALITY OF GREY HIGHLANDS, ON.) – On Wednesday, July 2, 2014, The Ontario Provincial Police Explosive Disposal Unit (DEU) attended a property on Grey Rd. 40 in the Municipality of Grey Highlands and safely detonated two explosive devices which were found inside an old tool chest that the resident had recently acquired.
The devices, which were found to be old railway flares, were used to warn oncoming trains to stop, prior to modern communications between trains. The flares would be clipped onto the track a mile or so behind a broken down train as a signal to an oncoming train of a disabled or stopped train ahead and to stop. The flares burned very bright and hot, and could cause severe burns and/or loss of fingers if they were being held when they exploded, as they were shock sensitive and would go off with pressure or sudden impact.
From time to time, residents come upon various artifacts when clearing out old estates, garages, outbuildings and alike. Grey County OPP wish to take this opportunity to encourage residents to contact the OPP or their local police service should they come upon any artifact(s) believed to be explosive, inert or otherwise.
Better to error on the side of caution than to suffer a serious injury by handling such items.