Explosions felt across parts of south Columbus late Friday night and early Saturday morning were the result of the disposal of military-grade ammunition originating from Knox County, authorities have confirmed.
Discovery and Disposal
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office reported that CH Tool & Die discovered 64 anti-aircraft high-explosive rounds while cleaning its Mount Vernon facility on Friday. The Columbus bomb squad, along with military specialists from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, were then called in to handle the ordnance.
The disposal involved detonations at both a facility in Knox County and a location on Jackson Pike, just southwest of Columbus. Some shells were handled on site in Knox County, while others were moved to the Columbus location for disposal.
Community Reaction
Residents reported being startled by the blasts, with some describing shaking homes. Wendolyn Bonaparte stated, “I was watching television and I heard a boom…I felt the house shake, to be honest.” Yenny Yorro shared a similar experience, noting her son also felt the shaking. Matthew Martinez, Yorro’s son, said he initially thought “World War III started.”
Many residents expressed concern over the lack of prior notification. Yenny Yorro stated, “I think they should have let us know…we don’t know what is going on.”
Looking Ahead
Columbus Fire stated the urgency of the situation prevented advance alerts. Franklin County Emergency Management confirmed it was not informed of the operation. Questions remain regarding the rationale for using two detonation locations and the route taken to the Jackson Pike site. An after-action meeting and review is planned to assess how the situation could have been managed differently. Findings from this review have been requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the explosions in Columbus?
The explosions were caused by the disposal of outdated military-grade ammunition discovered in Knox County.
Were residents warned about the detonations?
No, residents were not warned ahead of time. Columbus Fire stated the urgent nature of the situation prevented advance notification.
What is being done to address concerns about the lack of notification?
An after-action meeting and review is planned by the agencies involved to discuss how the situation could have been handled better.
How might emergency response protocols be adjusted to balance public safety with community awareness in similar situations?
