CPD bomb squad investigating live grenade found in Austin

ByABC 7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Austin streets closed after live grenade found: CFD
Chicago police and fire officials are investigating after a live grenade was found in the West Side Austin neighborhood.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The CPD bomb squad responded to a live grenade in Chicago's West Side Austin neighborhood Tuesday morning.

A call was placed just after 9:35 a.m. about a suspicious package in the 5000-block of West Madison Street, Chicago fire officials said.

Chicago firefighters responded and found a possible grenade in a blue lunch bag.

It was later confirmed to be a live grenade, and the bomb squad was working on it.

Streets were closed off in the area.

RELATED: Bomb squad removes 'explosive materials' found on Highland Park lakefront

At 10:53 a.m., the scene was secured.

CPD said the scene was released at 11:10 a.m. The bomb squad removed the grenade and planned to take it to a secure location to dispose of it.

No additional information about the circumstances surrounding the incident was immediately provided.

Highland Park police said a hand grenade was found by a resident last Tuesday, and then more "explosive material" was found Friday at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Highland Park.

In both instances, the Highland Park Police Department and the Waukegan Bomb Squad said the explosives were removed in a safe and secure manner.