Kaboom! RNC blows up cannonballs discovered near St. John's hospital

A group of metal detecting enthusiasts made an explosive discovery on Sunday.

RNC Const.GeoffreyG.Higdonsaid a group of hobbyists located "two explosive objects" about 400 metres from the helicopterpad at theHealth Sciences Centre in St. John's.

Higdon described the objects as appearing to be cannonballs that weighed about six pounds.

He said the hobbyists found the cannonballs in a wooded area, and the explosive disposal unit was called in to destroy them.

Residents of the HatcherStreet area, near the hospital, told CBC they heard two explosions around 5 p.m. on Sunday.

On Facebook, Kevin-Barry Martin wrote that he was out metal detecting with some friends when they located the two cannonballs.

He shared a video on Youtube,that features with photos of the cannonballs, and acall to police to report the findings.

Higdon said calling police is the right thing to do if anyone finds an explosive device.

"Do not touch itor go near it," he said.