Explosive Material Found in Blounts Creek Area | Eastern North Carolina Now

Approved for immediate release:

    Beaufort County Emergency Services responded to a phone call from a resident living near Blounts Creek, NC that they may have found a quantity of explosives in an old packing house (outbuilding) on their property. The home owner further requested assistance in safely removing the possible explosive materials. Beaufort County Emergency Services staff contacted the Eastern Branch of North Carolina Emergency Management who coordinated with the US Army Fort Bragg Explosives Ordinance Detachment (EOD). The EOD unit responded and has successfully removed the explosives from the structure and taken them to a nearby site and successfully detonated the items without incident. "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." "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", states Randell Woodruff County Manager.

    The following agencies provided valuable assistance in this successful operation: Blounts Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Chocowinity EMS, North Carolina Division of Forestry, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, Beaufort County Fire Marshall, and the Weyerhaeuser Corporation.

    "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." stated Curtis Avery Beaufort County Fire Marshall

    Randell Woodruff
      Beaufort County Manager and PIO