Drain contractors suck up WW2 grenade

A section of Mosgiel, west of Dunedin, has been cordoned off today after contractors working on a drain sucked up what is believed to be a World War 2 grenade.

The contractors were carrying out work in Murray St about 10.30am when they sucked up something which blocked the vacuum tube, said Senior Sergeant Craig Brown of Dunedin police.

The men were apparently banging the tube on the ground for a fair bit before the grenade fell out, he said.

"I imagine they got a bit of a fright," he said.

However, the grenade did not explode and an army disposal unit was expected to arrive about 4pm to dispose of it.

No properties had been evacuated but nearby residents had been warned to stay at the rear of their properties, Mr Brown said.

- NZPA