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Police explode ‘old, possibly hazardous device’ found in northwest Charlotte home

An “old, possibly hazardous device” at a home in northwest Charlotte prompted a police bomb squad response and was expected to close several roads during rush hour Wednesday.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department asked people to avoid the Northwoods neighborhood off of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road while officers executed a “controlled explosion” at the 1900 block of Pine Mountain Road before 5 p.m., according to a CMPD alert and a message sent to neighbors.

Neighbors said they heard the explosion around 4:45 p.m.

“There are no longer any active devices related to this incident,” police said at 5:10 p.m.

Officers opt to detonate explosives on-site to avoid any accidental explosions during transportation, CMPD public information officer Michael Allinger said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools told Queen City News road closures would affect bus routes for students coming from: West Mecklenburg High School, River Oaks Academy, Coulwood STEM Academy, Piedmont Middle School, Lincoln Heights Montessori, Ranson Middle School, Whitewater Academy and Whitewater Middle School, Blythe Elementary, North Academy of World Languages, JM Alexander Middle School, Metro School, Charlotte Mecklenburg Academy, Long Creek Elementary and Turning Point Academy.

It was unclear if any one will face charges for the potentially explosive device.

This is a developing story.

This story was originally published October 11, 2023 at 5:02 PM.

Julia Coin
The Charlotte Observer
Julia Coin covers courts, legal issues, police and public safety around Charlotte and is part of the Pulitzer-finalist team that covered Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina. As the Observer’s breaking news reporter, she unveiled how fentanyl infiltrated local schools. Michigan-born and Florida-raised, she studied journalism at the University of Florida, where she covered statewide legislation, sexual assault on campus and Hurricane Ian in her hometown of Sanibel Island. Support my work with a digital subscription
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