Discovery of firework material led to Annerley controlled detonations
What started as neighbours helping clean out an elderly man’s home has turned into a major bomb squad operation in Brisbane’s south.
A discovery of firework materials in a quiet Annerley home led to a street being completely closed off, with Queensland bomb squad detonating explosive substances in the side-yard.
On Friday afternoon, police taped off Denham St in Annerley in order to detonate explosive powder belonging to man who had since moved into an aged care centre.
It is understood there were substances intended for making fireworks that had been left alone for more than 40 years.
Neighbours said they saw explosive-defusal robots alongside authorities in bomb suits, as emergency services collected all corrosive substances left in the man’s home.
Footage obtained by The Courier-Mail showed substances buried in a hole under sandbags being detonated in an aggressive cloud of smoke.
Next-door neighbour Phil said he was giving a helping hand to clean out the man’s home when he and several others discovered substances they didn’t like the look of.
“We called the police … They sent the robot out to investigate, and they found out it wasn’t as bad as what they thought it was,” he said.
“There was a bit of a bang (when the explosives were detonated) but it was totally controlled.
“We had authorities go through both upstairs and downstairs … It was better to just get it all together over God-knows-how-many years.”
All of the dangerous chemicals have been safely removed from the home and there is no ongoing threat to public.
On Friday afternoon, three explosions were heard at 4pm, 4.11pm and again at 4.20pm.
Fellow neighbour Lou Lalic said the street residents could go about their day during the investigations but were asked to stay indoors for the controlled detonations.
“They told us to stay away from the windows because they weren’t sure how large the explosions were going to be,” Mr Lalic said.
“But we didn’t feel anything. Nothing shattered. After each (detonation), you got a whiff of gun smoke.”
“They were starting to pack up after the third explosion. We left at 6 and by 7:30, they were gone.”
A Queensland Fire Department spokesperson couldn’t confirm which substance was detonated but clarified that it was a type of powder.
The investigation started on Thursday with the substances deemed too dangerous to move, leading the bomb squad to detonate them at the home on Friday afternoon.
This detonation follows ADF Joint Explosive Ordnance Support team calling for better awareness of how to handle the discovery of an “unexploded ordnance.”
During a press conference earlier in December, Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Brooks said Australians who find explosives should not touch them under any circumstances.
“We talk about three main hazards: a blast, a fragmentation or a burn hazard,” he said.
“Things like the Mk58 might not explode, but they might vent their white phosphorus smoke, and that is pretty corrosive.
“It can burn people from other hazards perspective. It really depends on the age, and this is why we say to anyone, ‘don’t assume they’re safe.’”
