Ware park open again after fireworks search

WARE, Mass. (WWLP) - Ware’s Grenville Park has been re-opened following an extensive search for unexploded fireworks there.

Three town employees found fireworks in the park from Friday through Monday, including two men who were mowing the grass in the park and ran over the explosives, causing them to go off. About a dozen more shells were found in the park, according to Fire Chief Thomas Culombe.

The state police bomb squad was called-in to conduct a thorough search of the park, which was (except for a small part used by a soccer camp) closed all day Tuesday.

Deputy Fire Chief Don Donitis told 22News that they re-opened the park on Tuesday evening following the search, after there were no additional fireworks found in the park.

Donitis himself was one of the three people who accidentally discovered the fireworks; having stepped on a shell hidden under some leaves. Fortunately, it did not detonate.

People who enjoy using the park were happy to see it open again. Patrick Madigan of Ware walks his dog in Grenville Park every day.

"To be honest with you, it's one of the nicest areas of town to enjoy a good day," Madigan said.

Chief Culombe told 22News that they believe the fireworks were left over from the town’s Fourth of July fireworks display.