Violent storm hits Edmonton

Published: July 19, 2009 at 11:06 AM

EDMONTON, Alberta, July 19 (UPI) -- Debris from a storm-damaged 26-story building smashed two trucks but no injuries were reported in Edmonton, Alberta, authorities said.

Gusts of up to 70 mph pummeled the city's CN Tower and surrounding neighborhoods Saturday night, The Edmonton Journal reported Sunday.

"At one point, dispatch told me they had 40 calls lined up," fire platoon chief Ron Norman said. "A lot of these are just people getting scared, a lot of trees come down, a lot of power lines down."

Downed power lines sparked small fires throughout the city as utility employees scrambled to handle repairs, Epcor utility spokesman Tim LeRiche said.

Rides, concerts and concessions at a city fair were shut down shortly before the storm hit with thousands of fairgoers urged to take shelter in the fairground's main buildings, Norman said.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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