Army team detonates dynamite found in Blounts Creek building

Almost 100 sticks of dynamite discovered Thursday in a packing house was safely detonated Friday by an explosives-ordnance-disposal team from Fort Bragg, according to Beaufort County officials.
The dynamite, discovered by a resident going through items in the packing house near Blounts Creek, was “sweating” when discovered, according to John Pack, the county’s emergency-management coordinator. Over time, dynamite will “sweat” or “weep” its nitroglycerine, making it unstable. The resident requested assistance in removing the dynamite.
Officials are not sure how the dynamite made its way to the outbuilding.
The dynamite was taken to nearby location and detonated there, Pack said.
When county emergency-management personnel arrived at the packing house, they found 97 two-pound sticks of dynamite there. Pack said the dynamite was guarded from Thursday evening until the EOD team arrived Friday.
“While this is not an everyday occurrence in Beaufort County, it is another example of how three levels of government combined with first-responder agencies handled a potential dangerous situation as a routine task. The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners wishes to express our appreciation to all those personnel and agencies who demonstrated their dedication and technical skills during this dangerous removal and disposal operation,” said County Manager Randell Woodruff in a news release.
Assisting in the incident were the Blounts Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Chocowinity EMS, N.C. Division of Forestry, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Beaufort County fire marshal and Weyerhaeuser Corp.
“The owner of the property has expressed her appreciation for the prompt and professional assistance she received from the various agencies responding to her request for assistance,” said Curtis Avery, Beaufort County fire marshal.