Old military explosive found on North Carolina beach

PINE KNOLL SHORES, N.C. (WTVD) -- A souvenir taken from a North Carolina beach turned out to potentially be dangerous.

Pine Knoll Shores Police Department said someone found a strange object on the beach, took it home and placed it in their flower garden.

Later, the object started smoking.

Turns out the object was a phosphorous military ordnance. A U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal unit came out to safely dispose of the explosive.

The department shared the story with a warning about being careful about picking up and taking home things from the beach.