'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
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
$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.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
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.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Evacuation orders lifted in Fort McMurray Saturday as rain dampens wildfire activity
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.