Crazy exploding firewood story in the news

[uggabugga]

(broken link removed to http://www.wtop.com/681/3753769/Austria-firewood-explodes-in-wood-stove)

Austrian police investigating a grenade blast were less puzzled by the explosion and more by where it took place -- inside a wood stove that appeared to contain nothing but firewood.

The woman who owned the wood burner also had no clue at first. After all, she only put firewood inside.

Or so she thought.

what are the odds on this one happening? so many things had to happen 'just so.'

 

[pma1123]

Heard this news story on the radio this morning. I imagine this would catch your attention...

(broken link removed to http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/12/01/boom-firewood-contains-world-war-ii-grenade-explodes-in-wood-stove-no-one-hurt/)

 

[begreen]

Wow, that even exceeds the old Nashua testing.

 

[NinjaTech]

I wonder if the neighbors will think I'm nuts when I'm walking around on top of the wood pile tonight with a metal detector.

 

[Jags]

I wonder if the neighbors will think I'm nuts when I'm walking around on top of the wood pile tonight with a metal detector.

Yes. Yes they will.

 

[velvetfoot]

"The blast Sunday in the lakeside town of Gmunden shattered the stove's glass panel, but the sturdy wrought-iron stove prevented injuries."

I could easily see this turning into a discussion of cast iron vs. steel stoves.

 

[northwinds]

I would split smaller if I lived in that area. Maybe burn only kindling.

 

[hossthehermit]

Can't be too careful ................
http://www.twcc.com/articles/2014/12/01/a/austria-firewood-explodes-in-wood-stove

 

[Doug MacIVER]

Can't be too careful ................
http://www.twcc.com/articles/2014/12/01/a/austria-firewood-explodes-in-wood-stove

WTF

 

[Jags]

To clear any confusion - like threads have been merged together for continuity.

 

[BrotherBart]

"Harbor Freight combination moisture meter/potassium nitrate detector $29.99"

 

[tsquini]

I'm calling shenanigans. You can't see a grenade in your firewood split? How big is the split? Something in this story is off.

 

[Lake Girl]

Seems to be taking stove testing to the extreme... I can see this happening as trees will grow and envelope items after many years. There are places in Europe where they are still finding unexploded armaments - just not as likely to find something like this in the US.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Twice in 16+ years I've found lead slugs in my lumber for work. Pretty cool, but at least they didn't blow up my chop saw!

Grenades in firewood. Crazy... As I sit here and now have some anxiety watching my fire.

 

[peakbagger]

Well another risk to consider for hand splitting.

 

[1750]

I wonder how they knew that this is what actually happened? It would be interesting to see the evidence they used to reach that conclusion.

 

[Badger]

Well another risk to consider for hand splitting.

I think I'd rather hand split. When I use my hydraulics the log usually sets right below by belt.

 

[Soundchasm]

I've got the Nashua and I DO remember seeing that commercial once or twice. But talk about fuel with an accelerated burn rate!! Yikes!

During WWII Resistance members would paint explosives to look like coal and put them in the enemy's coal piles.

 

[Beer Belly]

didn't somebody here mention they were gonna drill a hole, and put live rounds in their firewood to rattle a firewood thief they were dealing with ??.....well, maybe not live, but like a blank.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

I found a .58 cal. slug inside an oak split once. I can't really say how old it was but it must, because of the depth in the tree, been 125 to 150 years old.

 

[bubbasdad]

I found a .58 cal. slug inside an oak split once. I can't really say how old it was but it must, because of the depth in the tree, been 125 to 150 years old.

.58 is the caliber of civil war springfield rifled muzzleloaders.

 

[bubbasdad]

(broken link removed to http://www.wtop.com/681/3753769/Austria-firewood-explodes-in-wood-stove)



what are the odds on this one happening? so many things had to happen 'just so.'

I talked to a guy from Belgium years ago, he was on the bomb disposal team. He told me that they averaged over 22 tons on ordnance per year. Some of it dating back to the war between France and Germany in 1870. More WW1 stuff than WW2 stuff tho.