Bomb Squad Called to Georgia Property to Dispose of Explosives
By Gregory J. Lamoureux
County Courier
GEORGIA, VT: Captain David Petersen of the Vermont State Police told the County Courier Tuesday afternoon that his agency was contacted about a week ago by ATF agents about explosives that needed disposal at a property off Oakland Station Road in Georgia.
Petersen said the explosives included nitroglycerin-based dynamite, which was becoming unstable due to its age. According to the Trooper, when dynamite ages, sometimes the nitroglycerin can crystalize outside the stick of dynamite, making it dangerous. That was the case in Georgia.
According to property records, Tina Carpenter owns the 10.2-acre parcel, including a mobile home and a castle that is under construction. The castle, a work in progress status, is largely built with rocks, which is consistent with some of the legitimate, legal uses that would allow someone to possess dynamite, the Trooper said.
Agents from ATF could be seen on the scene, as well as members of the Vermont State Police Bomb Squad, and firefighters from the Georgia Fire Department.
Around 12:30 pm, ATF agents and Troopers could be seen walking from the rear of the property where the explosives were “disposed of.” In the area, there was a small amount of light gray smoke, and the Troopers were carrying shovels and fire extinguishers. Petersen declined to elaborate on how the bomb squad disposed of dynamite but said that fire is one of those tactics.
Petersen said the public was never in danger from the explosives on the property, noting that they were properly stored, however, the mission did present a level of danger for the responders while they moved and destroyed the dynamite.
Authorities arrived on the scene around 10 am to begin disabling and destroying the explosives, according to Petersen.
Other explosives that were safe to transport were seized, according to Petersen, though he did not elaborate on what those explosives were, or the quantity.
No prior notification was given to the public that the incident was planned, and public safety was not expected to be an issue.
