Police help clear dead man's house by removing explosive device

MARIETTA, Ga., April 30 (UPI) -- A Georgia family clearing out the home of a deceased relative called in the police to help after an explosive device was found in a safe, authorities said.

Cobb County police said a bomb squad and a hazardous materials team were sent to the Vinings-area home near Atlanta Monday afternoon to take care of the touchy housekeeping detail, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Police also cleared neighboring homes while they removed the device, evacuating residents within 500 feet. The main entrance to the subdivision was also blocked, police said.

The nature of the device was not immediately known.

Records indicated a locksmith who died in November owned the home.