'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
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.