Bomb Squad Removes Dynamite From Pelham Home

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Westchester County Police Bomb Squad was called to a home in Pelham Saturday after neighbors say dynamite was discovered in the basement.

Warren Prescott Lyon, a retired assistant chief of the Pelham Manor Fire Department, lived in the home on the corner of River Avenue and Sixth Street until he passed away in January, 1010 WINS reported.

Pelham firefighter and neighbor Paul Torres told 1010 WINS police initially didn't know what they were dealing with when they arrived.

"We got a call around 9:30 in the morning, maybe 10:30, to assist police officers. It was hazard -- a bomb. When they came, it was dynamite. They had to wait about two hours for county Hazmat and bomb squad to get here and remove it themselves," he said.

Torres said he knew the chief since he was a boy and was surprised to hear of what was found.

"I actually knew him when I was 8 years old, 10 years old. I used to do landscaping for him and it was very scary. I never knew he had that, I mean I was in the house and I remember all the fire antiques and all that stuff. I never saw something like that," he said.

Torres said he believes the chief had the dynamite for legitimate reasons.

"Back then they could have used it for anything, to blow up a stump in the ground. Whatever the case may be."

Part of the block was evacuated while the bomb squad removed the dynamite.

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