THE Bomb Squad was called into Hornsby CBD this afternoon after an unexploded artillery shell was found in a donation bin at not-for-profit organisation, Fusion Australia.

Myf Webster from Fusion Australia said they unsure how long the artillery shell had been in the Hornsby office, however, a staff member noticed the unexploded ordinance earlier today after it was discovered in a donation bin.

media_camera Volunteers took photos as the artillery shell was discovered.

Officers from Ku-ring-gai Local Area Command evacuated the building, on Jersey St, before calling in the Bomb Squad to dispose of the artillery shell.

Ms Webster said police told her to “get everyone out of the building” after showing an image of the unexploded ordinance to police at Hornsby Police Station.

“Police arrived at the shop a few minutes later and evacuated everyone from the building,” Ms Webster said.

media_camera Phyl Ladd discovered the artillery shell covered in a wool tea cosy.

“One of our volunteers noticed the shell after taking it out of the donation bin — it was covered in a wool doily.

“We waited quite a long time for the Bomb Squad to arrive, so the op shop was closed for a few hours and the entire shop was cordoned off by police.

Ms Webster said although this was a unique case, she urges other residents to “avoid donating unexploded artillery shells” to the Hornsby-based charity.

media_camera Fusion Op Shop was cordoned off by police for most of the day.

“We were innundated with donations lately, so we are unsure how long it has been in the office, but this is a very unique donation.”

Local volunteer Phyl Ladd said discovering the bomb was the highlight of her 25 years volunteering for the charity.

“I am convinced someone has been using the bomb as a doorstopper,” Ms Ladd said.

media_camera The artillery shell that was found at Fusion Australia in Hornsby. media_camera The artillery shell was covered by a tea cosy.

“I didn’t realise the implications and the gravity of the situation, until I took off the doily that was covering the shell.

“I remembered there was an amnesty on, so I told the other volunteers that we needed to call the police.

“I have been a volunteer here for 25 years and that has to be the most unusual donation I have ever seen.”

This is not the first time an artillery shell has been found in Hornsby, after a road crew found a similar shell in Galston Gorge.