Neighbourhood evacuated in Germany after WWII grenades blew up in summer heat

Police in western Germany said a neighbourhood was evacuated after World War II-era grenades and other munitions bought at a flea market began exploding in summer-like heat.

Police said on Tuesday that authorities were called after an explosion Monday afternoon in the town of Hennef, east of Bonn. They arrived to find a garage in flames, and more explosions followed. They cleared a wide area around the home, shutting a stretch of railway and highway as experts were brought in. They secured the munitions and destroyed them in a controlled explosion in a field.

The 51-year-old homeowner, who's under investigation for weapons law violations, told police he bought the crate of munitions at a flea market and they apparently started exploding in the hot weather. No injuries were reported.