'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
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.