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Morning Report: Firefighters douse blaze, discover weapon collection
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More from Other NewsPolice and Fire: After putting out a small fire in the garage of a residential home, Oxnard firefighters late last night discovered a cache of old military weapons including rocket launchers.
Firefighters found the inert military devices at a residence on the 2700 block of Taffrail Lane in Oxnard after they quickly extinguished a blaze in the home’s garage about 11:30 p.m., according to a prepared statement from the Oxnard Fire Department.
The Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad responded to the scene to collect the old weapons, which also included navy projectiles, according to the statement.
The devices were part of a collection of war memorabilia that belonged to a resident’s deceased husband, said Cmdr. Tom Chronister of the Oxnard Police Department.
The Sheriff's Bomb Squad removed six pieces of the old ordinance they thought might have been dangerous, but it all turned out to be inactive, Chronister said.
The fire, whose cause had not been determined Wednesday morning, caused about $3,000 in damage to the home’s garage.
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Traffic: At 6:36 a.m., the California Highway Patrol was warning motorists on Highway 126 Westbound in Ventura to watch out for a pedestrian running across the roadway near the Wells Road exit.
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Weather: Low clouds and fog this morning are expected to give way to sunny skies and cooler temperatures today, the National Weather Service reported.
High temperatures in valleys are expected to remain in the low 90s today while thermometers at beaches may not even reach 70, according to weather service forecasts.
Posted by surfmedic91 on September 5, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is why our borders need to be secured, illegals deported, and our ports inspected and secured much better. It's out there, just not being found. Wait until it's too late and not take action on it.
Posted by degonia17 on September 5, 2007 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, I'm really scared of dead people collecting inert weapons.
Posted by sslocal on September 5, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh, okay. Since they are inert, did they give them back?
Some of "those old military weapons" could well be worth some money.
Posted by louis.leopold on September 5, 2007 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Huh? surfmedic91, your comment makes no sense.
The article states in part, "The devices were part of a collection of war memorabilia that belonged to a resident’s deceased husband."
There are a lot of red-blooded U.S. born vets who fought in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc. who brought home war memorabilia, including ordinance. Yes, it was and still is, against regulations, but it was and still is done nonetheless. War trophies. That's all.
While I agree in principle with securing borders, inspection of ports and enforcing existing immigration laws, this article, and the individual's status has absolutely nothing to do with that.
Unless you're implying that you wish to start having house-to-house "safety" inspections by law enforcement to locate these illicit items? I certainly hope not!
Posted by waasup_H8RS on September 5, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
surfmedic, the collection was an old mans, who most likely served in in a world war or vietnam. He probably used weapons like those and collected them as a reminder of the past. I doubt this man had to smuggle these weapons in from other countries. And when you say the borders need securing and the illegals need to be kicked out, I sure hope you aren't saying that just because this took place in oxnard.
Posted by justdboy on September 5, 2007 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The title of the article is most misleading. It is a poor title at best and looks to 'ripped' from the National Enquirer.
Posted by ca4ever on September 5, 2007 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was this really so important that it had to be printed in the VC Star. Who cares about an old gun collection???????????????????????
Posted by Tom_Johnston on September 5, 2007 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The comments of "surfmedic91" are odd to say the least..
This article had nothing to do with "borders need to be secured, illegals deported, and our ports inspected and secured much better."
Maybe "surfmedic91" first response was in error....
Posted by surfmedic91 on September 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ordinance of any type should not have been accessible, but it is. Remember a few months ago the pipe bombs set off near Cabrillo Middle School by former Army Sergeant and Iraqi War Vet Alan Toney? His AK-47 found in his apartment wasn't "war memorabilia". It was not obvious to the firemen who discovered it so it may not be "legal" items but you know it could cause a scare.
waasup_H8RS, comment wasn't made because it happened in Oxnard. I made the point that DOD and Dept of Homeland Security need to be tightened so that items like this are not able to get in. Because of lax security, they are coming in every day.
Posted by rdo4JC on September 5, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ordinance - according to webster's, it's
1 a : an authoritative decree or direction : ORDER b : a law set forth by a governmental authority; specifically : a municipal regulation
2 : something ordained or decreed by fate or a deity
3 : a prescribed usage, practice, or ceremony
ordnance -
1 a : military supplies including weapons, ammunition, combat vehicles, and maintenance tools and equipment b : a service of the army charged with the procuring, distributing, and safekeeping of ordnance
2 : CANNON, ARTILLERY
Yet another proof that this newspaper is second rate, if that high. Let's get something this simple correct before posting it.
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