Phosphorus grenades found in north-east Fife woodland

An area of woodland near Luthrie was cordoned off by specialist firefighters when a pile of smoking phosphorus grenades was discovered among the roots of a felled tree.

The contractor who brought down the tree raised the alarm on Wednesday when he found what was described as ”a pile of orange bottles filled with chemicals” at Starrbank House.

Fife Fire and Rescue Service sent in hazardous materials and environmental protection officers (HMEPOs) who examined the find, which was said to be ”giving off fumes”.

The HMEPOs identified the discovery as grenades and at 5.15pm bystanders were ordered to ”withdraw to a safe location”.

A spokeswoman for Fife Fire and Rescue Service said: ”They turned out to be pre-war phosphorus grenades. The contractor who took down the tree found them among the roots.

”They were giving off fumes and some of the contents had spilled on to the ground and that area was also giving off fumes.

”A cordon was set up with barrier tape and we notified Environmental Health and called in a specialist to make the scene safe.”