'Top Secret' Orlando Bombing Video Raises Homeowner Safety Questions
Live bombs and munitions have been found near homes and Odyssey Middle School around the former Pinecastle Army Airfield bombing range over the last several months.The bombing range was used extensively from 1943 to 1946, Local 6's Donald Forbes reported.During an investigation, Local 6's Donald Forbes uncovered war documents and other information about the site from the National Archives.Military maps of the Pinecastle Bombing and Gunnery Range detail the use and locations of weapons used.Attorney John Overchuck represents homeowners who claim their property values have plummeted and have said that they live in fear that homes could be built on live bombs."We think we can prove not only that they should have known but knew this was a bomb range and built these houses anyway." Overchuck said."And when you say 'they' you mean (what)?" Forbes asked."I mean the developers and the builders," said Overchuck. "I mean the people who actually made the profit from my clients."Before the New Vista Lakes community was built, an inspection was performed for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.The 1994 report gave the area a marginal hazardous rating, even though it noted that there was a target practice range and possibly bomb target there, Forbes said.By 1999, development was under way on the same year the Orange County School Board hired Universal Engineering to complete another site survey.Universal gave the land a clean bill of health, saying, "That no practice or live ordinance was dropped or fired on or from the Vista Lake property during the operation of the (Pinecastle Jeep Range)."When a bomb exploded in the area in 2002, the area started getting some attention.The developer hired another contractor for another site survey, Forbes said. They determined that the area had critical hazards and had to be cleaned up.The developer said he contacted the Army Corps with information but nothing was done and building continued, Forbes reported."You got nothing in 2004?" Forbes asked U.S. Army Corp of Engineer representative Mike Ornella."Our records don't show any transmittal of that report," Ornella said. "I am not saying if it was discussed but the people that were here working on the program are not longer here."In fact, it wasn't until 2007 that the Army Corps actually notified the public of dangers after live bombs were found in the area Forbes reported."Do you really know what is there or what is not there at this present time?" Forbes asked."No, we don't," Ornella said.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
- December 6, 2007: Construction Halted After Buried Bombs Found
- November 25, 2007: Bomb Pieces Found Near School Detonated
- November 19, 2007: Dig For Bombs At School Begins
- November 7, 2007: Search For Bombs Under Homes Expands After Buried Device Found In Yard
- October 17, 2007: Crews ID Yards To Dig For Possible Bombs
- August 20, 2007: School States Nearby Bombs Not A Threat
- August 8, 2007: Soil Tested At School Near Former World War II-Era Bombing Range
- July 25, 2007: World War II Bombs Found Near School
Copyright 2008 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.







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