Tennessee authorities seek to dispose of dynamite found in box at recycling plant

Authorities in Tennessee were investigating a box containing large quantities of dynamite at a metal recycling company Friday, prompting the evacuation of people living near the site.

An explosive robot was deployed to take a sample of the explosives found Thursday in a box at CMC Recycling, Knoxville police said. The department later tweeted that “Bomb Squad technicians have completely emptied the contents of the box and the explosives have been secured.”

The sample tested positive for ammonium nitrate, consistent with dynamite. Bomb squad technicians were working to remove the explosives from the box for disposal.

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A map of the evacuation zone and authorities near a metal recycling plant where a box of dynamite was discovered Thursday. (Knoxville Police Department)

The box was initially reported to contain about 200 sticks of dynamite, but technicians did not verify how many pieces were in the box, authorities said.

They will “methodically” remove the explosives from the box, soak the dynamite in diesel fuel and burn it, police said. There is no evidence the box was placed at the site with malicious or criminal intent, police said.

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The Knoxville Police Department said an explosive robot was deployed after explosives were found at a metal recycling center. (Knoxville Police Department)

He remained there for several days. The dynamite inside was discovered when workers at the metal recycling plant were using a torch to retrieve the box and unintentionally set it on fire, authorities said.

The Knoxville Police Department consulted with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who recommended that the immediate area be evacuated.

Technicians did not check how many pieces of dynamite were in the box, authorities said. (image Wodicka/ullstein via Getty Images)

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Evacuations remained in place for people living within 3,000 feet of the box, police said.