Live WWII mortar uncovered in Port Adelaide home sparks bomb squad response

A renovation crew in Port Adelaide uncovered a World War II mortar shell hidden behind a fireplace, and its intact primer indicated it was still live. The team alerted police, who verified the danger and summoned the bomb squad, which in turn called the army to handle the device. The shell was transported to RAAF Edinburgh and detonated safely.

Former mayor Gary Johanson explained that in the decades following the war, finding artillery shells in yards and sheds was a routine part of life, with children often playing with them unaware of the risk. He also described how residents once collected discarded military items, including.303 rifles, and recounted a local veteran’s trove of wartime memorabilia now housed at the National War Museum. Police officials reminded the public to avoid touching suspicious objects and to contact the Police Assistance Line if they encounter such items.