Rowan County authorities caution neighbors about fireworks in mailboxes

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Emergency officials in Rowan County are asking neighbors to be careful after fireworks set off two “small explosions” in mailboxes.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said they found them Wednesday inside a mailbox and a trash can.

A man told Channel 9 he works from home and heard a loud boom at 10:30 a.m. He went outside and saw smoke pouring from his sister’s mailbox, which is right next to his. When he opened his mailbox, he found an unlit firework.

Deputies headed to the scene and closed West Highway 152 between Stirewalt Road and Brown Road for the investigation. The area is near South Rowan High School.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew overhead as authorities inspected the device that had not yet detonated.

“About the same time that call came in, another call came in, loud ‘boom’ heard in the area of Brown Road about a mile from here,” said Capt. Mark McDaniel with the sheriff’s office. “China Grove police went and found a trashcan that had a device detonated in it as well.”

Earlier Wednesday, deputies received reports about someone driving a car through the area and throwing fireworks.

Rowan County Emergency Services asked anyone within a 2 to 3-mile radius of the Five Forks community and Highway 152 to be cautious when checking their mailboxes and trashcans located by the road.

Channel 9 could see a bomb squad robot in front of two mailboxes along the side of Highway 152. Gary Helms lives down the street from those mailboxes.

“I heard what sounded like a shotgun blast, probably a little deeper,” he said.

He thought it might be a crash, but later learned it was an explosive device.

“How are you going to check your mailbox from here on out?” Helms asked. “I don’t want to give anyone ideas, I don’t want to give up a secret, but there’s a way I can check it and reduce my risk.”

A spokesperson for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the firework was similar to a mortar shell you light and put in a tube to launch. They’re legal in places where you’re allowed to have fireworks.

Emergency officials said not to touch or move anything if you notice anything unusual in your mailbox. Instead, call 911.

“Just use caution,” Capt. McDaniel said. “We don’t know how many others were put around.”

Thankfully, no one reported getting hurt. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said it’s working with the U.S. Postal Service to investigate. If they catch someone, they could face both state and federal charges.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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