50 Sticks of Suspected Dynamite Found in Medina Garage Prompt Hazmat Response and Evacuation

50 Sticks of Suspected Dynamite Found in Medina Garage Prompt Hazmat Response and Evacuation

MEDINA, Minn. — A Medina resident cleaning out an old garage made a startling discovery Wednesday morning when he found a container appearing to hold roughly 50 sticks of suspected dynamite, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the evacuation of nearby homes.

According to the Medina Police Department, officers and the West Suburban Fire Department were notified around 11:34 a.m. after the resident, who lives on the 4600 block of Mohawk Drive, reported the suspicious container. Due to the unknown and potentially unstable condition of the material, authorities immediately evacuated the surrounding area as a safety precaution.

The Minneapolis Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene to assess and remove the suspected explosives. Bomb technicians successfully secured and transported all items from the property, allowing emergency personnel to lift the evacuation order later that afternoon.

By Wednesday evening, officials confirmed that the scene was clear and that there was no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators have not yet determined how the explosives came to be stored in the garage or how long they had been there.

Medina police expressed appreciation for the swift response of neighboring agencies and for residents’ cooperation during the incident.

MinneapoliMedia