Hazardous materials found inside home in Wayne, Pa.
WAYNE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Cleanup work continues at a reported hoarder home in Radnor Township after a police investigation led to the discovery of hazardous materials.
Authorities responded around 2:30 p.m. Monday to a home in a cul-de-sac in the unit block of Marlyn Road in Wayne, Pa.
"It started out as a check on the property," said Radnor Township Police Chief William Colarulo. "Like the township manager said, we smelled the odor. We don't know if it was a dead animal or dead body. That's when we made a forcible entry."
Inside police found piles of items, years of detritus and trash. A wide variety of munitions were found.
But after the bomb squad conducted a careful search, no explosives were found.
Police believe ammunition, not explosive material, is what prompted positive hits from a bomb-sniffing K9.
"Our top priority is the safety of the neighborhood, also the safety of this gentlemen. We want to make sure he gets the proper assistance, and is able to cope with what is going on," said Radnor Township Police Lt. Christopher Flanagan.
Of particular concern to authorities are a number of chemicals found on the property.
"There were chemicals," said Flanagan. "Several chemicals are extremely toxic and dangerous. They were used in photography, they weren't being used for an evil purpose. They're just extremely old and unstable."
The chemicals were evaluated and will be removed by professionals.
Property records show the home is owned by 80-year-old Layton Fiering.
Fiering is a licensed gun dealer and has a license to carry.
A man believed to be Fiering arrived at the home Monday night as authorities were investigating.
He said he's lived at the home for 76 years.
"Messy does not explode, messy is just messy," Fiering told Action News.
Officials tell Action News the home will need to be professionally cleaned and inspected before anyone can live in it.
So far, no charges have been filed.
