News Release

WARSAW — Warsaw Police were alerted to the discovery of a pipe bomb with a burnt fuse Wednesday night, Aug. 18. at the vacated property once known as the Arnolt building.

The device was later detonated as experts worked to render the device safe, according to a news release from Warsaw Police Department.

There were no injuries or significant damage from the explosion, police said.

On Wednesday night, Warsaw Police say a person identifying himself as homeless said he was walking next to the building when he found what appeared to be a pipe bomb on the north side of the building along Hendricks Street. 

Officers found a galvanized metal that was capped on both sides. There also was what appeared to be a burned-out fuse attached to the device.

Specialists with Fort Wayne Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit as well as agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Fort Wayne office responded to Warsaw to investigate. 

Police have no suspects as of Thursday morning.

Anyone with information on this is encouraged to call the Warsaw Police Detective Division at (574) 385-2210.  Warsaw Police were assisted by Fort Wayne Police, Fort Wayne ATF, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, the Winona Lake Police Department, as well as Lutheran EMS and Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory who were on standby during this event. 

The Arnolt building came alive back in 1939 and carries with it some interesting automotive history; however, it was vacated over 20 years ago and has often been an issue of contention for the city with homeless inhabiting this location or vandalism occurring inside of the structure.