VIDEO: The Brevard County Bomb Squad spent hours Tuesday working to safely remove a grenade found in the aftermath of a fire at a Merritt Island storage facility. A fire erupted late Tuesday afternoon at a Merritt Island storage facility just south of Merritt Square Mall, sending thick black smoke into the air. Firefighters broke through garage doors to reach multiple burning units filled with personal items. During firefighting efforts, crews discovered a grenade inside the facility, prompting the Brevard County Bomb Squad to respond.
Technicians used a robot to search through the damaged debris to locate the device while authorities moved spectators and media farther away for safety. Officials have not said how the grenade ended up in the storage unit or whether it was active. The extent of the fire damage remains unclear, and investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. The storage facility housed a variety of tenantsโ belongings, ranging from furniture to sentimental family items. For some renters, the damage means losing irreplaceable keepsakes, a painful reminder of the vulnerability of off-site storage in emergencies. The discovery of the grenade added a dangerous twist.
