'People were panicking and running away': Out-of-control fireworks captured on video in southeast Edmonton on Halloween night
An Edmonton couple says they witnessed an out-of-control fireworks display that damaged parked vehicles and caused children to run for cover on Halloween night.
"It was like a scene from a movie."
That's how Ryan White described what he saw two blocks from his house, near 31 Street and 34B Avenue at around 7 p.m. on Sunday.
"I was driving home that night," White said. "Once I turned the corner I noticed fireworks being set off on the sidewalk. The fireworks tipped over then they started to hit cars, almost hitting people."
White told CTV News Edmonton his truck was also hit by the fireworks.
"People were panicking and running away," he said.
White and his fiancé Ashley Herd captured the incident on video.
"The fireworks must have fallen over," Herd told CTV News Edmonton. "That's when they started hitting the cars and houses. Watching all the little kids run away so they wouldn't get hit."
"The fireworks started to come toward the truck, a few hitting it. That's when we started to back up to get out of the line of fire."
Herd called the incident "absolutely terrifying."
"I don't understand how anyone could think it's OK to set off fireworks in their driveway, especially on Halloween night with all the little kids trick-or-treating. All I could think of was a little kid getting hurt, or a house or vehicle getting set on fire."
Herd and White said they found damage to one parked vehicle they believe was caused by one of the fireworks.
"It was almost like burn marks," said Herd. "Like little pellets were shot at the car."
"One vehicle across from them got lit right up," added White. "There were burn marks and ash all over the car."
In a written statement to CTV News Edmonton, a spokesperson for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services said fire crews attended the scene around 7:30 p.m. but left when they did not find anyone at the location.
When asked why he wanted to share his story, White's response was simple.
"To let people know how dangerous it is to set off fireworks in a residential area," he said, "and how quickly something like this can go sideways, especially with kids walking around the area."
No injuries have been reported from the incident.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 investigates | Priest, neighbours issue plea for help for struggling international students in Cape Breton
Cape Breton University has more than doubled in size by enrolling thousands of international students, and critics say the campus and community weren't ready. Watch the documentary 'Cash Cow' on CTV W5, Saturday at 7 p.m.

A glass of wine or beer per day is fine for your health: new study
A new Canadian study of 4.8 million people says a daily alcoholic drink isn't likely to send anyone to an early grave, nor will it offer any of the health benefits touted by previous studies, even if it is organic red wine.
Federal minimum wage, taxes on alcohol: Here's what's changing in Canada April 1
The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 per hour to $16.65, and taxes are going up on gas and alcohol nationwide starting April 1.
W5 profile | The Canadian who creates the real, but fake, sounds in Hollywood blockbuster films
W5 profiles the man who makes the sounds for breaking bones and squealing tires in Hollywood’s biggest films; and he does it from a small town in Ontario. Watch 'Sound Farms' at 7 p.m. on CTV W5.
Recent immigrants more likely to have confidence in Parliament, Canadian media: Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada has released its new report about the Canadians level of confidence in Canada’s institutions, finding that recent immigrants are more likely to express confidence in the media and parliament.
Afghan women cyclists who escaped the Taliban are chasing their dreams in Canada
After the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan and banned sports for female athletes, Afghan women cyclists are chasing their dreams in Canada.
Biden and his 2024 campaign: Waiting for some big decisions
U.S. President Joe Biden has all but announced he's running for reelection, but key questions about the 2024 campaign are unresolved: Who will manage it? Where will it be based? When will he finally make it official?
Unable to leave Syria, mothers of Canadian children forfeit repatriation to keep their families together
In a choice forced upon them by the Canadian government, four mothers have made the agonizing decision to forfeit an opportunity to repatriate their children from open air prisons in northeast Syria.
MP Han Dong issues libel notice to Global News over China interference reporting
Lawyers representing Toronto MP Han Dong served Global News with a libel notice on Friday over reports that alleged he spoke to a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 about delaying the release of the two Michaels, and that he was a 'witting affiliate' of Chinese interference networks – allegations that Dong denies.