Projectile event in Rhode Island, Smithfield, Church Street area, United States of America on Mon 6th April 2026

Story Summary

- Two World War II era mortar shells were discovered in the attic of a Smithfield residence.

- The state bomb squad was called to the scene and safely removed the items.

- Officials say it is not uncommon for military memorabilia to be found in homes.

The discovery of two World War II-era mortar shells at a Smithfield residence prompted a response by the Office of the State Fire Marshal's bomb squad on Monday afternoon, April 6.

The bomb squad removed the two shells, and "the area was deemed safe without further incident," the Smithfield Police Department said in a press release.

The police were called to the residence at 6 Church Street at about 2:55 p.m. Monday. "The caller was reportedly cleaning and discovered the items in the attic," the police said.

The police contacted the bomb squad.

"We do get these from time to time. It's not as unusual as you might expect," said James Given, chief deputy fire marshal for Rhode Island.

"It's stuff that grandpa, or in this case, maybe great-grandpa, brought back from the war," Given said.

Grenades are a more common discovery, he said.

As a kid delivering The Providence Journal in the 1970s, Given had a World War II veteran customer who kept two shells on a table in his living room.

As of Wednesday morning, the bomb squad was still examining the 75mm shells to determine if they were live, Given said.