Residents reported hearing a series of explosions at about 6:15 a.m. and Monroe police discovered nine "Drano bombs" had detonated in front yards in the 400 block of Hickory Street. A 10th device that had not exploded in a driveway on Manitee Street prompted a response from the Butler County Sheriff's Office Bomb Unit.
No injuries or property damage was reported.
Specialist Mike Grimes, commander of the bomb unit, said "Drano bombs" or overpressure devices are acid-based and commonly made using liquids such as Drano, the common household chemical used to open clogged pipes.
The specific chemical composition of the devices found Tuesday won't be known until further analysis is completed.
"It can be strong enough to take an officer's fingers off if it's in the hand," Grimes said. "It's an acid, so you'd have chemical burns."
Grimes said that if someone finds a chemical bomb, they should back away and call police.
He said movement can spur a chemical reaction with the ability for explosions that can cover a 15-foot radius.
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