BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio – A potentially dangerous Civil War-era explosive prompted a bomb squad response this week after being discovered inside a residence in Oxford Township.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the discovery was made when an individual received a box of Civil War-era relics from a friend and began sorting through the items. During that process, the person found what appeared to be a cannonball and a sabot projectile, raising concerns the items could still be active.
Authorities said the county’s Bomb Unit responded and identified one 4.5-inch cannonball with a fuse well that appeared to be potentially live. A second item, described as a 3.75-inch by 7-inch sabot, appeared to be inert.
Both items were secured and removed by trained specialists for further analysis and proper disposal, officials said.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that even historical military artifacts can still pose serious risks if they contain explosive material. Officials warned residents not to handle or attempt to move suspected ordnance under any circumstances.
Instead, anyone who encounters similar items is urged to leave the area immediately and contact law enforcement. Trained bomb technicians have the equipment and expertise to safely assess and remove potentially hazardous materials.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
